National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. on Sunday, expressed optimism for a more stable and secure nation in 2019 even as he admitted that the proliferation of illegal drugs had become a national security threat along with communists and terrorist groups.
According to Esperon, the NSC and the country’s security sector have succeeded in “adequately managing national security in the face of numerous issues and concerns that continue to challenge the security of the nation.”
In his statement, Esperon said that President Rodrigo Duterte’s creation of the National Security Strategy and the establishment of a National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict were “instrumental” in integrating the country’s major security policies and coordination of all concerned agencies to effectively address security threats, issues, and concerns both within and outside the country.
“In the external environment, the West Philippine Sea issue remained to be contentious due to overlapping territorial claims and maritime domain concerns among the various claimants,” Esperon said in his statement.
“Amid this renewed global interest on Asia, the Duterte Administration adopted a “middle ground” position signifying that the Philippines is a friend to all and an enemy to none,” he added.
Esperon noted that Duterte’s foreign independent policy has enabled the country to forge partnerships with China and Russia while maintaining its ties with the United States.
He, however, maintained that the country continues to use the “diplomatic engagements” with China and other claimant states of the resource-filled waters without compromising Philippine national interest.
“Trans-boundary issues such as terrorism, drug trafficking, piracy, smuggling, and human trafficking are being addressed through the strong collaborative mechanisms within the ASEAN framework,” Esperon said.
“The campaign against illegal drugs has become a primary mission and the campaign will even be more intensified to eradicate the menace,” he stressed.
He then underscored that the operations against communist rebels, terrorist groups, and other extremists will be “relentless” as they continue to threaten the lives of the public and hamper the country’s potential economic gains.
Esperon said that despite keeping other threat groups at bay, military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group and the renegade Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters would be relentless.
“More security forces will be deployed as necessary,” the NSC chief said.
He also gave emphasis to Duterte’s issuance of Executive Order No. 70, which created the NTF-ELCAC, allowing the government to tackle the decades-old problem with communists with “whole-of-nation” approach.
“The ‘whole-of-nation Approach’ gives importance to inclusive and sustainable framework towards attaining peace,” he said.
He also said that the extension of Martial Law implementation in the Mindanao region will be “vital” in ensuring the success of the upcoming plebiscite of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in January 2019.
According to the top security official, prospects are bright for an even more stable and secure nation in 2019.
“The security sector will become more robust in addressing future security challenges. We are optimistic that as we are able to provide continuing stability, more developmental prospects, small and big, such as our Build, Build, Build projects, will see fruition. All these will translate to improved economic standing and better living conditions of most Filipinos,” Esperon said.
“We, in the security sector, stand with the President, and remain committed to secure our territory, ensure sovereignty, and implement law and order all for the well-being of the Filipino and for our future generations,” he said.
