US cites Phl for vigilance against terrorists

WASHINGTON – Terrorist groups were unable to conduct major attacks in the Philippines in 2015 because of the government’s strong and continued pressure against them, the US State Department said.

In its Country Reports on Terrorism 2015, the State Department said groups such as the Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah Islamiyah, the New People’s Army and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters failed to launch major attacks on civilian targets in metropolitan areas because of the vigilance of counterterrorism and law enforcement forces.

But the report cited poor delineation of responsibilities between law enforcement and military units, and that command and control arrangements were often dependent on interpersonal relationships between commanders.

The report said the government’s Internal Peace and Security Plan, which calls for the transition of internal security functions from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was slowed in part by uncertainty over the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, as well as by the lack of capacity in the police force and shifting priorities ahead of the May 2016 national elections.

It said there was no strong evidence of any significant number of Filipinos traveling to the Middle East to join ISIS, though the government recognized the potential threat posed by radicalized Filipinos supporting the terrorist group and the risk of ISIS elements moving to the Philippines to promote violent extremism in the country or seek safe haven.

The 150,000-strong Philippine National Police maintains legal responsibility for ensuring peace and security throughout the county. Such responsibility includesr arresting terrorists and conducting terrorism investigations.

In conflict- affected areas, the PNP often relied upon the AFP to conduct counterterrorism operations. While coordination between the two services has improved, much work remains to be done, the report said.