US envoy: Decade after 9/11, PHL doing well vs terrorism

The Philippine government is doing a good job in fighting terrorism a decade after the tragic "9/11" terror attacks by Islamic extremists in the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas Jr. said. In an interview with GMA News’ Sandra Aguinaldo on Sunday, Thomas lauded the efforts of the Aquino government, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to quell terrorist threats in the country, especially in Mindanao. “I’m quite content. It’s a robust effort… As long as we remain vigilant, as long as you are doing everything you can to keep people safe, then you're doing a good job," he said.

Thomas made this statement as the world commemorated the 10th year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C., which left nearly 3,000 people dead, including 20 Filipinos. The international terrorist network al Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, claimed responsibility for the attacks. Bin Laden was killed by US forces in Pakistan in May, the US government said. Thomas, who was assigned at the White House at the time of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, said the Aquino government should keep strengthening its anti-terror efforts, especially because other "threat groups" are still operating in the country. "We have to go after the terrorist threat. We have to ensure that our children and our facilities are safe… We can’t let people intimidate us. We can’t be bullied," he said. He particularly identified the al Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf group, the Jemaah Islamiyah, and the New People’s Army as threats to the country’s safety. The US envoy likewise assured the Philippines of continued assistance in its anti-terror drive, especially in the form of military aid. “The US military has always and will always continue to come to Filipinos assistance during crises," he said. The Philippines is the eighth largest recipient of US military aid in the world. The US and Philippine military are also currently conducting joint special operations in Mindanao. Last August, President Benigno Aquino III included the strengthening of the Human Security Act of 2007—the country’s foremost anti-terrorism legislation—in his priority bills. - Andreo Calonzo/VVP/RSJ, GMA News