'Financially-crippled local terror groups can't launch attacks'

MANILA, Philippines - Terrorists in the Philippines can no longer launch attacks because they have been financially crippled, the national security adviser said yesterday.

Speaking to reporters at the presidential situation room in Malacañang Park, National Security Adviser Cesar Garcia said the government is trying to cripple the capability of the Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah Islamiyah and the Rajah Sulayman Movement to unleash terror by preventing them from getting funds abroad.

“Money translates to capability,” he said.

Garcia said terror threats have always existed, especially in Metro Manila and some parts in Mindanao, because the intent of terrorists is to launch massive attacks and inflict harm on people.

“Radical groups always have the intent,” he said.

“The intent has always been there. They are always metamorphosing, but these are always the same set of characters. There’s always an intent for massive attacks.”

Garcia said the Philippines has an internal terror threat.

The presidential situation room will be operating on a daily basis to inform President Aquino on terrorist threats, he added.

Garcia said the old war room inside Malacañang was “dissolved in 2007” after having outlived its purpose.

Garcia said the presidential situation room would serve as the crisis management operation center or the national crisis management committee.

“This shall be the venue of a crisis management center,” he said.

“We will discuss the situation and arrive at a decision (from here). This will be the first and last time that we will be inviting you here.”

Under Administrative Order 2, the presidential situation room shall be headed by Undersecretary Zenaida Brosas, who shall report directly to Garcia or the director-general, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Presidential Management Staff Secretary Julia Abad.

Other agencies tasked to provide support are intelligence units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and representatives from the Presidential Communications Group, who will help in manning the PSR.

The P5.5-million initial budget shall be for the “purchase of office equipment” and for PSR operations, and will be sourced from the Office of the President.

The NSC secretariat was also tasked to include in its annual appropriations succeeding budgetary support for PSR.

The presidential situation room shall have the following functions:

• Monitor events, situations and developments that have national security implications including those with serious diplomatic, political and peace and order ramifications;

• Provide current intelligence and crisis support to the President, the Executive Secretary, the National Security Adviser and the Secretary of the Presidential Management Staff;

• Serve as the primary monitoring, coordination and communications center in Malacañang on classified information;

• Coordinate the collection, verification and evaluation of highly sensitive information bearing on national security;

• Establish linkages and coordinate with the various operations centers of civil and security agencies of government;

• Serve as the National Crisis Management Operations Center for various contingencies and crises.

Military: JI number in Sulu reduced

The Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) forces in Sulu have been reduced following relentless military operations against them and the Abu Sayyaf, according to the Marine commandant.

Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero said the plan of terrorists to launch attack has been preempted because of the military campaign.

“As of now, intelligence monitoring regarding the presence of the high-value targets of the JI has been getting lesser,” he said. — With Roel Pareño, Alexis Romero