Terrorists use poverty to lure more recruits

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza yesterday said terrorist and communist groups in the country are using poverty in their massive campaign and psychological persuasion strategy to enlist many young men and women to take up arms against the government.

Speaking in yesterday's Counter-Terrorism Experts Conference at the Shangri-la Mactan Island Resort in Lapu-Lapu City, Dureza cited the situation in Mindanao where the extreme poverty, social injustice and inequality experienced by Muslims provide a continuing sense of grievance that feeds the secessionist movement.

According to Dureza the pervasiveness of hostilities have disrupted the livelihood of the local populace and constrained the community's economic growth and reduced opportunities for the conflict-affected people.

He also cited the easy availability of illegal firearms which is one of the most challenging threats to peace and security.

He added that the national government is putting a prime value on the success of the peace efforts as a major contributing factor in the achievement of the national goals on poverty alleviation and counter-terrorism.

Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said that his city was once tagged as one of the fiercest Muslim secessionist movements in the world, a virtual killing field and the laboratory of the urban guerilla warfare of the New People' s Army and a place that breeds petty crimes and illegal drugs.

The mayor said the transformation of the city from being one of the dirtiest and dangerous cities in the country in the early l980s to being the most liveable city starting in the mid-1990s was disrupted in 2003 by the painful March 4 bombing of the waiting shed outside the Davao International Airport and the April 2 bombing near the gate of the Sasa Pier.

"Those twin bombings which caused deaths and injuries to many will always be grim reminders to all of us that terrorism knows no boundaries, race, creed nor nationality," Duterte said.

Duterte said there is a need to continue adopting hard-line measures against terrorism if only to protect the gains that have been attained in the pursuit of peace, development and prosperity not only in his city but also in the country.

The three-day international event formally ends today where organizers hopes they can agree on a united stand in the campaign against terrorist activities.

The conference is attended by 454 delegates from 56 countries. - Jose P. Sollano