Reyes: Reduce impact of terrorism

Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes has challenged Mindanaoans to erase the negative impact of terrorist activities in their areas by supporting the call of the Arroyo administration not to allow terrorists and fear to hound the country’s progress.

Reyes made the challenge during a joint meeting last Wednesday of Rotary clubs in Cagayan de Oro City, where he was a guest speaker.

"Terrorism seeks to immobilize all of us, to make Mindanao and the rest of our country inhospitable to growth and progress," he said.

Although Mindanao is rich in heritage and natural resources, Reyes said it is hard for the island to progress due to the negative publicity brought about by terrorist activities there.

The defense chief also urged not only his audience but also the whole Mindanao as well to get rid of terrorists by supporting all the programs and plans of the Arroyo administration.

He said their support is very important since they know the terrain, the people and the "terrorists" in their midst.

He said the people should not only protect their homes and places but also ensure that all scalawags and terrorists be put behind bars.

But so far, according to Reyes, the Armed Forces has been successful in its fight against lawlessness and criminal activities.

Citing statistics, Reyes said the strength of the communist movement has been reduced from 12,000 in 2001 to less than 10,000 during the first half of this year.

He also cited a nine percent decrease in armed incidents involving communist insurgents from 495 last year to 450 this year.

The strength of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has also decreased from 12,570 last year to 12,450 during the first half of this year and continues to be decreasing, he said.

The Misuari breakaway group, he said, emerged as a threat after it launched a series of attacks on military units and detachments last year. But Reyes reported that the group has been inactive and its strength has decreased from 3,200 last year to about 360 this year.

Although the Abu Sayyaf continues to create chaos in Mindanao, Reyes said the military’s internal security operations have successfully reduced its strength from 800 in 2001 to 250 this year. He also cited the killing of Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya and the arrest of six key leaders of the extremist group.