Hamas must be declared terrorist group- Año
By J.Lo
"In solidarity with people of Israel, we will push for designation of Hamas as terrorist organization under RA 11479 as priority agenda of Anti-Terrorism Council," National Security Adviser (NSA) Eduardo Año said in statement condemning attack on Israel wants militant group Hamas to be officially designated and declared as foreign terrorist organization in the Philippines.
"This was deadly and barbaric terrorist assault on Israel targeting its civilian population and Israel has every right, as much as any nation, to defend and protect itself from this attack which has already claimed more than 1,200 lives, including three Filipinos and wounded some 3,000 others," Año said.
With what happened and another three Filipinos still missing or unaccounted for, he said Hamas should be declared as terrorist group under Philippine law.
"Together with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we hope for swift resolution to this conflict, we pray for safety of innocent civilians and we offer our thanks to government of Israel for its efforts to protect our citizens," Año said.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro meanwhile gave assurance that Philippine government is ready to rescue Filipinos trapped in Israel and Gaza.
"Yes, we are ready, willing and able, actually, to facilitate repatriation… duty not only of Armed Forces of the Philippines but also Office of Civil Defense and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council ,NDRRMC," he declared.
Speaking to reporters on sidelines of launch of Philippines' hosting of 2024 Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Pasay City, Teodoro said other relevant government agencies are assessing the situation.
"But we stand ready to do whatever is required of us," he added, noting that through NDRRMC, concerned government agencies may converge and talk "so that when and if repatriation is needed, we can decide what is most expeditious means possible."
Teodoro added security sector is not letting its guard down and is also on lookout for possible emergence of copycats, particularly disruptors or extremist groups who may copy whatever happened in Middle East.
"For now we haven't seen that but it does not mean to say that we are not monitoring possible spillover or copycat effects... for now, we are not seeing any," he said .
"I mean it always happens. So any country in this part of the world or any part of the world, even in Europe, they're on high alert for the possible effects of this on their security situations, not only here that things happen, you know there have been ISIS spin-offs in France, in UK, wherever. Terrorism is possibility anywhere," he said.
Teodoro said DND and government should be ready for any eventuality and it needs help and support of public.
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