Arroyo allies to Aquino: Improve anti-terror drive

Minority lawmakers at the House of Representatives on Wednesday questioned the Aquino administration’s efforts against terrorism in light of Tuesday’s bombing of a passenger bus in Makati City, which left five people dead. In a joint statement, the lawmakers, led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, said President Benigno Aquino III should step up his government’s anti-terrorism drive after the bus bombing, which coincided with the rise of the country’s ranking in the global terrorism risk index. “We must have immediate answers and actions to prevent a repeat of yesterday’s attack and improve the country’s image. We have already moved up two notches in the international list of dangerous countries and now rank eighth," they said. The Makati City bombing happened on the same day foreign firm Maplecroft released this year’s Terrorism Risk Index (TRI), which showed a rise of the country’s global terrorism risk assessment ranking from tenth last year to eighth this year. The TRI was developed for companies to assess terrorism risks to their international assets. It measures not only the risks of an attack, but also the chances of mass casualties occurring.

The House minority members also asked if the Aquino government is taking steps to upgrade the military’s intelligence capability to intercept possible terrorist attacks in the future. “Has our intelligence capability been upgraded or has it declined after the reported many seasoned agents, losing contacts and expertise built up over many years, including regular and close consultations with the allied intelligence operatives?" they asked. The lawmakers also questioned if Aquino is making sure that Republic Act 9327 or the Human Security Act, signed during the administration of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is being implemented. RA 9327 mandates that the Anti-Terrorism Council, which is composed of seven Cabinet members including the Executive Secretary, the Justice Secretary and the Local Government Secretary, ensure the “proper and effective implementation of the anti-terrorism policy of the country." Last year, five countries—the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand—issued travel warnings on the Philippines supposedly due to risks of terrorist attacks in the country. - Andreo Calonzo/KBK/RSJ, GMANews.TV