Tag: Abu Sayyaf

Statements

On the Foiled Hostage-Taking of Former Sen. De Lima

The swift and decisive response undertaken by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the foiled hostage-taking of former Senator de Lima and the in-depth investigation already ordered by Chief PNP Azurin must be taken into consideration before the usual critics start to put the PNP in a bad light.

That being said, an impartial investigation must be conducted immediately with the end in view of preventing any similar incident in the future.

More importantly, the intended hostage is safe and unscathed even as we should pray for the injured police officer.

What is not known to many, an offer for transfer was already made by the PNP to Sen de Lima as early as mid-August this year on the occasion of the US Congressional delegation visit led by Sen. Markey, the reason being – the PNP Custodial Center is primarily designed for high-value criminals and high-risk terrorists. Unfortunately, the former senator declined the offer and opted to stay where she is presently detained.

That all being said, and without intending to preempt the authorities, high-risk detainees who are members of an internationally proscribed terrorist organization like the Abu Sayyaf Group should be isolated and not mixed with the other PDLs.

That, I assume, will be part of the recommendations in an investigation now being conducted.

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Radio, Statements

Lacson: AFP to Do Better vs Terrorism, Insurgency with New Chief’s Policies
Image courtesy: AFP Facebook page

With its new chief’s instructions to exercise due diligence, the Armed Forces of the Philippines should do better against the threats of terrorism and insurgency, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Saturday.

Lacson said he is hopeful that with new AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana’s emphasis on tact and sensitivity, there will be no repeat of the recent gaffes especially in anti-insurgency efforts.

“I just hope Lt. Gen. Sobejana’s initial pronouncements will serve as the policy guideline for the AFP,” he said in an interview on DWIZ radio.

Continue reading “Lacson: AFP to Do Better vs Terrorism, Insurgency with New Chief’s Policies” →

Statements

Ping: Suspected Indonesian Suicide Bomber, Sampol sa Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020
Rezky Fantasya Rullie a.k.a. Cici

Posibleng ang pinaghihinalaang Indonesian suicide bomber na naaresto sa Sulu ang maging pangunang halimbawa o “test case” ng pagpapatupad ng Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, partikular na sa provision sa “inchoate offenses.”

Ayon kay Senador Panfilo Lacson, ang mga nakuhang pampasabog at gamit sa pagpapasabog sa suspek na si Nana Isirani (a.k.a Rezky Fantasya Rullie o Cici) ay indikasyong naghahanda ito para sa isang pag-atake.

“This is one example of an inchoate offense made punishable under the new Anti-Terrorism Law. By including inchoate offenses as punishable acts under the new measure, we are criminalizing the foregoing acts of the arrested suspects which include planning, preparation and facilitation of terrorism and possession of objects with knowledge or intent that these are to be used in the preparation for the commission of terrorism,” paliwanag ni Lacson, sponsor sa nabanggit na batas sa Senado, sa kanyang pagsasalita sa Philippine Army Multi-Sector Advisory Board Summit.

Si Rullie, kasama ang dalawa pang babaeng pinaniniwalaang mga asawa ng mga galamay ng Abu Sayyaf, ay naaresto sa Sulu noong Oktubre 10. Nakuha sa kanila ang mga nabanggit na gamit ng pampasabog na nakaipit sa vest.

Related: ‘Potential Test Case’ | Lacson: Suspected Indonesian Suicide Bomber Faces Charges for Violating Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020
Continue reading “Ping: Suspected Indonesian Suicide Bomber, Sampol sa Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020” →

Statements

‘Potential Test Case’ | Lacson: Suspected Indonesian Suicide Bomber Faces Charges for Violating Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020
Rezky Fantasya Rullie a.k.a. Cici

A suspected Indonesian suicide bomber who was arrested in Sulu over the weekend looms as a potential test case for the newly signed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 – particularly its provision penalizing “inchoate offenses.”

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson noted Tuesday that the bombs and other items seized from Nana Isirani (a.k.a. Rezky Fantasya Rullie or Cici) indicated she was preparing to take part in a terrorist attack.

Rullie was arrested with two other women believed to be wives of Abu Sayyaf members in Jolo, Sulu last Oct. 10. Authorities confiscated items including an improvised explosive device disguised as a vest, container pipes, and a nine-volt battery.

“This is one example of an inchoate offense made punishable under the new Anti-Terrorism Law. By including inchoate offenses as punishable acts under the new measure, we are criminalizing the foregoing acts of the arrested suspects which include planning, preparation and facilitation of terrorism and possession of objects with knowledge or intent that these are to be used in the preparation for the commission of terrorism,” Lacson, who sponsored the anti-terrorism measure in the Senate, said in his speech before the Philippine Army Multi-Sector Advisory Board Summit.

Related: Ping: Suspected Indonesian Suicide Bomber, Sampol sa Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020
Continue reading “‘Potential Test Case’ | Lacson: Suspected Indonesian Suicide Bomber Faces Charges for Violating Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020” →

Statements

Lacson: Politics, Special Treatment in Abu Sayyaf Leader’s ‘Arrest’ Can Lead to No-Win Situation vs Terrorism
ASG leader Abduljihad Susukan. Image CTTO

Politics and terrorism may be a deadly mix as neither has logic or reason, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Saturday.

“Huwag naman sana. Pag pinaghalo ang pulitika at terorismo, talo lahat tayo. Why? Politics has no logic and terrorism has no reason,” Lacson, who sponsored the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 in the Senate, said in a post on his Twitter account.

“We had sent the right message to the world that we mean business against terrorism with tough legislation in the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. But we could be sending the wrong message if we allow politics into the mix, as in the case of Susukan,” added Lacson, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on National Defense and Security.

Continue reading “Lacson: Politics, Special Treatment in Abu Sayyaf Leader’s ‘Arrest’ Can Lead to No-Win Situation vs Terrorism” →

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PINGterview: Possible National Security Implications of Scrapping VFA | Jan. 27, 2020

In an interview with Senate media, Sen. Lacson answered questions on the possible implications on national security of scrapping the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement.

QUOTES and NOTES:
 Continue reading “#PINGterview: Possible National Security Implications of Scrapping VFA | Jan. 27, 2020” →

At a Glance

Senate Bill 2204: Let Us Toughen the Fight Against Terrorism

Presentation_Anti-Terror Bill updated-01

“Why condemn if we could act? Let us toughen the fight against terrorism.” – Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, in his sponsorship speech for Senate Bill 2204 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2019), Feb. 6, 2019.

Related: Sponsorship Speech for the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2019
Continue reading “Senate Bill 2204: Let Us Toughen the Fight Against Terrorism” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

Interview on DWIZ | Feb. 2, 2019

In an interview on DWIZ, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– passage of the 2019 budget; accusations of Rep. Bravo
– reported air strikes vs groups such as the ASG and BIFF
– reported involvement of suicide bombers in the Jolo bombing

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “Interview on DWIZ | Feb. 2, 2019” →

In the News, Statements, Videos

#PingSays: On the 2019 budget and Sulu church bombing | Jan. 28, 2019

In an interview, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– bicameral conference committee discussions on the 2019 budget
– Sulu church bombing

Quotes from the interview… Continue reading “#PingSays: On the 2019 budget and Sulu church bombing | Jan. 28, 2019” →

Statements

Kontra-Terorismo: AFP Binuhusan ni Ping ng P4.7 Bilyon
photo0128-04
Sen. Lacson stresses a point during bicameral conference committee discussions on the 2019 national budget on Jan. 28, 2019.

Isinulong ni Senador Panfilo Lacson ang pag-ayuda sa Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas kontra sa lumalalang terorismo sa pamamagitan ng paglaan ng halos P5 bilyon sa badyet nito sa kasalukuyang taon.

Sa kanyang pagdalo sa bicameral panel meeting para sa 2019 national budget, isiniwalat ni Lacson na ang P4.78 bilyon ay kanyang iminumungkahing ilaan para sa karagdagang Infantry Division ng Philippine Army.

“It is an institutional amendment that I introduced, for the activation of an infantry division as requested by the Department of National Defense (DND),” paliwanag ni Lacson sa harap ng mga kasamahang bumubuo sa bicameral panel ng budget.

Related: Lacson Pushes P4.78-B Institutional Amendment for Mindanao Infantry Unit
Continue reading “Kontra-Terorismo: AFP Binuhusan ni Ping ng P4.7 Bilyon” →

Statements

Lacson Pushes P4.78-B Institutional Amendment for Mindanao Infantry Unit
photo0128-04
Sen. Lacson stresses a point during bicameral conference committee discussions on the 2019 national budget, on Jan. 28, 2019.

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson is pushing for a P4.78-billion institutional amendment in the P3.7-trillion national budget for 2019 for an infantry division that will counter threats from armed groups like the Abu Sayyaf.

Lacson, who disclosed this at the bicameral conference committee meeting on the 2019 budget on Monday, said the funding to mobilize the 11th Infantry Division was requested by the Department of National Defense (DND).

“It is an institutional amendment that I introduced, for the activation of an infantry division as requested by the DND,” he said.

Related: Kontra-Terorismo: AFP Binuhusan ni Ping ng P4.7 Bilyon
Continue reading “Lacson Pushes P4.78-B Institutional Amendment for Mindanao Infantry Unit” →

Statements

On the bombing in Basilan

If it can be established that it was indeed a case of suicide bombing, considering that it was the first of its kind in the country, it is frightening to say the least as, and God forbid, it could start a trend of a series of such terroristic acts that could hit other highly populated urban centers.

The incident should prod the government to step up their intelligence and security capabilities to address this new deadly threat.

I would say, proactive offense prompted by good intelligence is still our best defense.

*****

Statements

On MNLF Founding Chairman Nur Misuari’s Call for Amnesty for the Abu Sayyaf

Just by merely asking that the Abu Sayyaf be granted amnesty smacks of bad faith and scheming tactic on the part of Misuari. He is surely aware that we do not negotiate with terrorists. There is not even a shred of political ideology in every ASG member, only their insatiability for violence against helpless victims and of course, money.

While the AFP is in a relentless pursuit of a nearly decimated band of terrorists, here comes Misuari having the audacity to suggest amnesty. To think of our soldiers as well as their kidnap victims being tortured, mutilated and beheaded would be enough to make even the most decent human being think of retribution and vengeance.

The government should seriously consider asking the court that suspended Misuari’s warrant of arrest to immediately reinstate the same and put him in jail.

*****