Plans for counter-terrorism education research underway

The Department of National Defense (DND) is setting up a counter-terrorism education research facility in line with its anti-terrorism program to involve neighboring states in combating the global menace.

Defense Undersecretary Rodel Cruz said several countries like Japan have already signified their intention to support the program financially or otherwise.

"We have come up with this idea because the problem of terrorism transcends boundaries and it is in our best interest, as well as (the interest of) other countries, to have a single facility where we could meet and study the problems of terrorism on a regular basis," Cruz said.

He said the anti-terror facility would serve as an academic and research center, unlike the military’s national training center set to open soon inside Fort Magsaysay, Laur, Nueva Ecija.

Once launched, the counter-terrorism facility will be involved in deeper studies and help formulate policies to address the root causes of terrorism.

"We need to study this thoroughly. The problem of terrorism covers different fronts, many countries. (It is) borderless and transnational," Cruz said. "So we need people from other countries who understand this problem."

He added that anti-terrorism officials from other countries will also be invited to use the facility to compare notes and exchange ideas.

Cruz said the project will be patterned after the United States’ (US) Asia-Pacific Center for Strategic Studies, based in Hawaii.

Neighboring countries, particularly Japan, have expressed their support for the project, Cruz said. But the start-up costs will initially be shouldered by the Philippine government.

"They look very interested in helping us but we haven’t discussed any details yet. For now, let us show others what we’ve been doing. And if they later want to help, they will see where they can be most useful," Cruz said.

Singapore is also setting up a regional counter-terrorism facility, which will serve as the nerve center of all anti-terrorism activities and programs in the region.

Meanwhile, the US Pacific Command’s outgoing liaison officer in Manila, Captain Dennis Williams, lauded the government’s success in its anti-terrorism drive.

"The Philippine government has done a tremendous job in its anti-terrorism campaign," Williams said.

He added that further collaboration with friendly states would help the country further develop its capabilities in downgrading the terrorist threat, not only here but in the entire region.

Williams is being recalled to the United States, as he is due for retirement.

Philippine security forces are battling the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and the Communist Party of the Philippines. Both have been labeled terrorist organizations by the United States and the European Union.