AFP stepped up anti-terrorism push after Sulu suicide bombing —Army

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is bolstering various counter-terrorism measures following the suicide bombing that left eight people dead at an Army camp in Sulu last week.

According to Philippine Army chief Lieutenant Gen. Macairog Alberto, counter-terrorism efforts include tapping actor Robin Padilla to help in the education and awareness drive, especially among the youth in far-flung communities.

"We are... countering violent extremism, it is de-radicalization, ang isang maganda ngang gawa natin (sa) AFP is, one, assure the people and the people supports 'yung ating gobyerno at ang Philippine Army doon, ang Armed Forces doon na we are against terrorism," Alberto told GMA News Online in an interview in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal on Friday.

"They condemn terrorism and, in fact, dinala nga natin si Robin Padilla and 'yung ating chaplain na Islam para kausapin ang kabataan doon para hindi sila makuha o mahikayat na sumali sa mga ganito," he added.

The Army chief said foreign terrorists, reported to be losing ground in the Middle East, are considering the area "papuntang Pilipinas na part of the old Caliphate, so merong mga attempt na ganyan."

"Tayo naman we are always ready. We are always prepared to do this to prevent 'yung terrorism at makatulog 'yung ating mga mamamayan ng mahimbing," Alberto said.

"I  would like to acknowledge also yung ibang mga ating reservists ... even 'yung actors katulad ni Robin Padilla, Mateo Giudicelli, at iba pang members ng civilian sector na they want to help ... para ma-prevent 'yung terrorism," he added.

After the twin blasts in the Sulu camp that authorities say were carried out by suicide bombers last June 28, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he wants a stronger defense capability to fight the enemies of the state as he "sees dangerous times ahead."

The president hopes to complete a certain phase in the AFP Modernization Program before his term ends in 2022.

Accordingly, Alberto said the Army is currently bulking up its artillery.

"We're also planning, later on, in the near future para ...ang (Philippine) Army will have its own helicopter kasi...the intention is to have helicopters for the aviation battalion," he said.

"(With) regards to tanks, meron tayong immediate plan din, meron tayong mga procurement on the next horizon." —Margaret Claire Layug/LBG, GMA news