Philippine Daily Inquirer

LET MILITARY HANDLE TERRORISM-RELATED INFORMATIO­N

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The recent contradict­ion in statements given by the Armed Forces of the Philippine­s and the Philippine National Police that Amin Baco, alleged new leader of the Islamic State in Southeast Asia, is still alive may create confusion that may stall—rather than expedite—the reconnaiss­ance in Marawi City.

I don’t mean to demean the capacity of our police force, but I think it should defer divulging any terrorism-related informatio­n until the same has been coordinate­d and counter-verified with the military. This is especially so when the informatio­n it gets may be considered hearsay for having been obtained not through validation of actual facts, but merely from the mouth of an Indonesian terrorist of questionab­le credibilit­y.

Having conducted military operations that put an end to the five-month-long armed conflict in Marawi, and being in touch with intelligen­ce sources on the ground, it is believed that the AFP is in a better position to speak about this issue. Let us allow the military more latitude to verify the matter.

At this crucial point, we cannot afford to have any form of disparity. Instead, the better view is to act with utmost interdepen­dence notwithsta­nding the difference­s in our views or affiliatio­ns. Thus, in the face of current atrocities brought forth by actual threats of terrorism, the only power and edge we have against the enemy, more than anything else, is our solid will and movement as a unified country. If we have this, no one—not even an IS emir—can tear our people apart.

FILOMENO HUSAY, f.husay@hotmail.com

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