AFP chief Gapay wants to beef up border security in fight vs. terrorism

A week after the deadly blasts in Jolo, Sulu, Armed Forces chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay underscored that there is a need to intensify security measures within the country's borders to combat terrorism.

Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of the National Heroes' Day commemoration at the Libingan ng mga Bayani on Monday, Gapay said the problem of terrorism needs to be addressed comprehensively and holistically.

"'Yung border security natin, 'yung maritime security natin doon, we have to beef up, kaya nga we are calling on Coast Guard in tandem with our Navy, Marina of the, or the PNP, to work together to secure 'yung maritime borders natin, coast lines and even 'yung in land waterways... ito na kasi ang naging maneuver space ng mga terrorists," Gapay said.

He also said law enforcers should monitor and regulate the transport and usage of bomb-making materials, adding that security forces must identify the individuals purchasing them.

"Of course regulating 'yung mga materials in bomb making like 'yung mga ammonium nitrate, dapat ma-monitor natin... those who are buying them, transporting them in big quantities so we have to monitor them," Gapay said.

According to Gapay, intelligence operations are ongoing to determine where local terrorists get financial support to perpetrate lawless acts.

"Of course on the intelligence side and of course meron din 'yung kanilang... they rely heavily on logistics and support system ano ng terrorist organization ng locals and even yung financing nila so we have to look into many things," Gapay said.

The AFP chief also urged for the support and cooperation of other agencies and the public in order to defeat terrorism, not only in the southern portion of the Philippines but in the entire country.

"Security is a shared responsibility by all of us, so nakita natin doon... that’s why security sector should be supported by the LGUs, of course mga local ;yan and kilala nila 'yung mga nandoon sa constituents nila in Sulu," Gapay said.

Gapay said he visited the deadly blast site together with President Rodrigo Duterte and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Sunday. The President went there to condole with the victims of the explosions which were perpetrated by suicide bombers.

Duterte had offered flowers and prayers at a blast site, then went to Camp Teodolfu Bautista to visit those injured in the blast and are now being treated in the camp hospital.

The twin explosions killed 15 individuals and injured more than 70 others. — RSJ, GMA News