Recruitment for anti-terror 'secret agents' reaches Iloilo
Malacañang's drive for civilian involvement in the country's fight against terrorism reached Iloilo with a call for unity made to Ilonggos. As such, recruitment for 'secret agents' are underway, the group to band under the Ilonggos Alliance to Counter Terrorism or I-ACT.
"Come and be part of the unified battle against terrorists and terrorism," Ilonggo lawyer Ric Blancaflor began while noting how casualties are minimized and the over-all anti-terror fight 'easier' with community support.
Currently holding the post of "Undersecretary" under Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Blancaflor is the top legal mind and Director of the Presidential Anti-Terrorism Task Force.
In a press conference Sunday, Blancaflor said government efforts are underway to strengthen networks for barangay or village-based intelligence gathering. This, as he lamented the yet to be realized Anti-Terror Bill, the Philippines being the only country next to Malaysia that has yet to approve the passage of said bill throughout Asia.
Key provisions presented, deliberated and argued in the Philippine Congress include the matter of detention and definition of terms seen to be disadvantageous to the political opposition. Yet Blancaflor remains optimistic of the eventual passage this year saying "it is a matter of time but it will happen. It could be the best gift to the Filipino people. This is now more of a reality rather than a dream."
"Our version of the Anti-Terror Bill have very good provisions and can withstand the scrutiny of the World. It cannot stop everything but it will certainly stop some of them (referring to terrorists)," he quipped.
Asked for areas of concerns that the Task Force focuses its efforts, Blancaflor said to date no such list exists however priority is given to government and private infrastructures deemed "critical" and targets of terrorists. Included here are sugar centrals as the case in present in Panay Island, major dams, airports, seaports and malls.
Blancaflor noted that Iloilo has thus far one of the biggest concentration of malls.
"No direct threats here but our counter-measures are in place and strengthened alongside the earlier concerns on the security of Boracay Island. Our tourist influx here is dependent on how safe we make the island and the country" he added.
And while no list of targets thus far was released, Blancaflor also said same holds true on the supposed list of safe havens or strongholds for terrorists where to date, the Task Force maintains such matter no longer exist.