US to help make South ‘inhospitable’ to terrorists

ZAMBOANGA CITY — US military forces will continue helping the Armed Forces make southern Philippines "inhospitable" to any terrorist group.

But Lt. Col. Anthony Abati, new chief of the US Joint Special Operation Task Force-Philippines, told reporters that the fight against terrorism needs the total cooperation of the citizens.

"If we don’t come together (and if they don’t) share our ideas and goals, then the terrorists will win and that is a trap we must avoid," Abati said.

Some 300 US soldiers are still here to conduct anti-terrorism training for Filipino soldiers belonging to the Light Infantry Battalion.

The results of the training would be used in a joint anti-terrorism exercise in the South that has remained under discussion because of its controversial terms of reference.

Abati said the United States cannot fight terrorism alone.

"People are susceptible to terrorism when they lose hope, when they have fear. The US cannot fight this alone. We have to work hand in hand and together we can make the southern Philippines inhospitable to terrorists," he said.

He added: "No nation, no matter how small or poor, is incapable of participating in and contributing to the defeat of international terrorism."

Abati urged non-government groups to continue their outreach missions with the government in poor communities which he said are vulnerable to terrorism.