The chiefs of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) have called for stiffer security enforcement in the country as both believe that it has become the lair of terrorists and criminals due to the Philippines’s wide “democratic space.”
“You know the country enjoys so much democratic space that is being exploited by terror groups and also criminal groups unlike in other countries like Singapore, US, Malaysia, Australia,” AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Año said.
He also stressed the need of the country to carry out a “very strict internal security act” because if not, problems with terrorism won’t be addressed effectively.
As for PNP Chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the vast democratic space encourages lack of discipline among citizens, citing that the nonexistence of the national ID system makes it easier for terrorist to operate.
According to Dela Rosa, “This is a very crucial mission to address terrorism but has not been passed by the legislature. We have been clamoring for that but it’s a very uphill battle.”
DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 10/ 10 /17