Aquino considers ISIS a ‘serious concern’

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang on Saturday, November 29, brushed aside observations that President Benigno Aquino III is downplaying the threats posed by terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The statement comes after a global anti-terrorism website likened Aquino to US President Barack Obama when it comes to addressing the ISIS threat.

Reviewing Aquino’s past pronouncements on ISIS, one would not come to the conclusion that he is downplaying the situation, said Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte in an interview with state-run Radyo ng Bayan.

“In fact, the President has already mentioned that, you know, we know that it’s a serious concern and we continue to act,” she said.

Valte said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) continues to engage with stakeholders, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front  (MILF) and local leaders, to fight terrorism and prevent recruitment efforts by ISIS.

“If you see our efforts, it’s largely successful. We’ve not had a major incident in the past few years and also that’s a testament to the passion, to the efforts, and to the work that our law enforcement agencies have been showing,” Valte said.

“This is a continuing effort and this does not mean that we will let our guard down to continue to avert situations of this nature,” she added.

Valte explained that due to security matters, the government could not divulge details of all its efforts against ISIS.

“Just because our efforts are not made publicly known, it does not mean that they do not exist. A large part of it is not shared publicly because that’s transmitting to the other side what you intend to do,” Valte said.

Aquino, Southeast Asia’s Obama?

In one of its posts, the website ISIS Study Group said that Aquino had been advocating peace in the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao but, like Obama, had proven to be “weak and indecisive” with regards to the ISIS threat.

The website is said to be maintained by retired US military personnel.

“In many ways, [Aquino is] the Southeast Asia equivalent of our own President Obama, who shares Aquino’s naive view of the world – which isn’t a good thing,” said the group.

It also said that the Philippines “has all the potential in the world” but has a leadership that is “reactionary as opposed to forward-thinking [ones] like that of Malaysia and Indonesia.”

The group recommended that Aquino step up efforts to enhance security relationships with the MILF Central Committee, as well as Malaysia and Indonesia.

It also suggested that other Philippine-based terrorist networks need to be taken out “to blunt any momentum the groups in the southern Philippines have built due to their increasing reliance on their northern counterparts to finance operations and facilitate travel to the Middle East.”

Malacañang dismissed the comparison to Obama as a “left-handed compliment.” – Rappler.com