Anti-Terrorism Council tasked to implement int’l treaty on chemical weapons
President Benigno Aquino III has issued Executive Order (EO) 39 designating the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) as the lead agency in charge of enforcing an international arms control agreement that bans chemical weapons.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Wednesday the issuance of the presidential directive was in compliance with the country’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), an international treaty adopted in 1992 to outlaw the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons.
The President signed EO 39 last April 28, Ochoa said.
“There is a need to fully implement in the country the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons Convention since our country took part in the negotiations that led to its adoption as well as signed and ratified it,” said Ochoa, who also happens to be the head of ATC.
Ochoa noted that Paragraph 4, Article VII of the treaty provides that every party to the CWC shall establish a “National Authority” to coordinate between the Philippines and the Netherlands-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to which the Philippines is a member.
Prior to the issuance of EO 39, the Department of Foreign Affairs had been functioning as the interim Philippine National Authority (PNA) on CWC and other disarmament issues.
EO 39 shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Under the presidential fiat, the ATC shall be referred to as PNA-CWC, which will not only serve as national coordinating body for the OPCW but shall likewise be the lead agency in the implementation of the provisions of the treaty.
The Executive Secretary was appointed chairperson of the PNA-CWC with the ATC-Program Management Center serving as the Secretariat of the PNA-CWC.
To facilitate its work, EO 39 authorized the PNA-CWC to establish sub-committees, if it deems necessary, to render assistance in the implementation of its functions and serve as pool of experts. The PNA-CWC may also request personnel from other government agencies to assist its Secretariat.
EO 39 also directs all government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned and -controlled corporations and government financial institutions to extend support to the PNA-CWC for the successful implementation of its functions.
The presidential issuance earmarked an initial funding of P5 million for the PNA-CWC, which shall be taken from the Contingent Fund of the Office of the President (OP). Subsequent funding for the PNA-CWC and its Secretariat shall be included in the budget of the ATC.
The CWC, also known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons Convention, was adopted on September 3, 1992. The Philippines signed and ratified the Convention on January 13, 1993 and February 21, 1995, respectively.
The Philippine Senate issued Resolution No. 49 on August 19, 1996, signifying its concurrence to the ratification of the Convention by the government. (PCOO)
Malacañang says no room for complacency in the Aquino administration
Despite scoring new high ratings in the aspects of helping the poor, setting good moral example, reconciliation with Muslim and communist rebels, natural disasters preparedness and housing programs for the poor, Malacanang disclosed on Wednesday that there is no room for complacency in the Aquino administration.
In an interview over government-run radio station Radyo ng Bayan on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. assured that President Benigno S. Aquino III is working hard to accelerate economic growth in an environment of better governance and transparency.
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which covered the first three months of 2011, categorized as “good" the Aquino administration’s performance in certain areas despite of global oil price hikes due to unrest in the Middle East.
Coloma said the President remains focus on his priorities and initiatives to alleviate the economic situation of the people, especially the vulnerable sectors as well as to improve public service, to fight corruption and among other concerns.
The President is aware, Coloma stressed, that there is still a lot of hard work to do to pursue his administration’s goals. “So, iyong reality check ay nandoon pa rin sa aspeto na marami pa ring hamon sa larangan ng kabuhayan,” he said.
“Magtratrabaho pa ng mas mahusay sapagkat napakarami pa talagang dapat gawin para guminhawa ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan. At dapat lang na mas maging masipag at mas maging matulungin ang ating pamahalaan,” Coloma said. (PCOO)
Government intensifies security nationwide
The government said it has intensified its security measures in the country particularly in Metro Manila, following the death of Al Queda leader Osama bin Laden although there is no immediate threat detected.
During a press conference in Malacanang on Wednesday, National Security adviser Cesar Garcia said the President called for a Cabinet security group meeting to assess the implications of Bin Laden’s death on the country’s security.
“While we can’t discount retaliatory attacks by groups sympathetic to Osama bin Laden and his ideology we haven’t monitored any specific threat of an attack on Metro Manila. The terrorist threat level in Metro Manila remains at a moderate level,” Garcia said.
Moderate means that while threat groups may have the intent to undertake terrorist activities, their capability to carry out such intentions has not been monitored and deemed unlikely at this time, Garcia noted.
But in Mindanao particularly in Regions 9, 11, 12, and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the threat level is assessed to be at a high level, Garcia said. This means that the threat groups have the intent and capability to undertake terrorist activities in these areas.
“In the localities of this region, the retaliatory attack against the US, its interest and its allies who fought against terror have been reasonably expected,” the President’s security adviser said.
Groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) along with the regional terror network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and others have known sympathizers in this area. These groups can quickly mount attacks even without much preparation against their targets given the opportunity.
As countermeasures, even there is no report on an immediate threat to the Metropolis, the government upgraded security of critical infrastructures and other places deemed likely targets of terrorist attacks.
These include the embassies of countries engaged in a global war against terrorism, five-star hotels and other areas frequented by tourists, point of entry either by air or by sea, other transport facility and common public areas like churches and malls.
“In Mindanao, the AFP will sustain the momentum of its offensive against the Abu Sayyaf to keep them off balance unable to take the initiative to plan and execute a major terrorist attack in the NCR,” Garcia said.
In addition, the intelligence community is enhancing coordination to better focus its efforts to neutralize and locate high-value targets in the ASG as well as the JI elements embedded in the group.
At the same time, Garcia said the Armed forces has augmented the capability of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in counter terrorism measures particularly in guarding airports, sea ports as well as in conducting patrols both mobile and stationery. (PCOO)
Government renews its thrust against terrorism
The Philippine government has renewed its thrust against terrorism intensifying legal offensive to capture or deter terror suspects who are still in the country, President Benigno Aquino III’s security adviser said.
“The PNP [Philippine National Police] and other law enforcement agencies are undertaking measures to strengthen the legal offensive against suspected terrorists,” National Security adviser Cesar Garcia said in the press conference on Wednesday at Malacanang.
“In tandem with the program management center of the Anti-terrorism council, they will also carry out other measures to find their hardened potential targets of a terrorist attacks as well as anti-terror soft programs aimed at the hearts and minds of potential terrorist recruits through a comprehensive deradicalization campaign,” he said.
Garcia was reacting to a question propounded by reporters about the Rajah Solaiman Movement, a terrorist organization founded by a Christian who was converted to Islam.
The leaders of Rajah Solaiman Movement are now mostly in jail but there are some who were freed whose cases have been dismissed for lack of evidence and this is the target of PNP’s legal counter measures.
“The PNP has been tasked to intensify the legal offensive against suspected terrorist targets to make sure we account for them and among them are the remnants of the Rajah Solaiman if any,” Garcia said.
Rajah Solaiman Movement is named after the last king of Manila before the Spanish conquest in the 1500s, which introduced Catholicism along with European rule.
Similar to Abu Sayyaf, the converts belonging to this group claim they want to remake the country into an Islamic state.
Philippine authorities said the group's members were trained, financed and directed by Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiah, a regional terrorist group with links to Al Qaeda. (PCOO)
With or without survey results, all Cabinet officials will continue to work for the country -- Malacanang
Whether the approval ratings of President Benigno S. Aquino III go up or down as exemplified in the surveys, the entire Cabinet Officials will continue to work overtime to serve the Filipino people and to give what is best for the country.
“Whether the numbers go up, whether the numbers go down we continue to do our best in serving the country. As it stands, it is important to note that satisfaction with the administration remains at near-record levels,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing on Wednesday at Malacanang.
Lacierda noted that the recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) was conducted at a time of crisis where there were problems concerning the overseas Filipino workers, and continued oil price hikes.
“We are addressing all these concerns all the time, primarily economic concerns which have prompted the drop in the numbers (of President Aquino’s satisfaction rating),” he said.
Lacierda viewed the survey results as a mixed bag of good and moderate, saying it clearly showed that the people recognized the Aquino administration’s initiative on many fronts, including curbing graft and corruption in the government, criminality and addressing economic concerns.
He also expressed confidence that as the President's programs for keeping transport costs down, improving the efficiency of agriculture, attracting investments and providing jobs further expand, the public will be reassured.
Lacierda also said the Presidential Communications Group is currently working on a system to fast track the dissemination of good news or positive achievements of every government departments and agencies.
“So we would like to show more of the good news that the different agencies have done. And so, we are trying to work up a system na mas pabilisin ang paglabas ng good news,” Lacierda added. (PCOO)
Papal nuncio bids farewell to Aquino
Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, the papal nuncio to the Philippines, made a farewell call to President Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang on Wednesday as he moves to Greece to serve the same position there.
President Benigno Aquino III has issued Executive Order (EO) 39 designating the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) as the lead agency in charge of enforcing an international arms control agreement that bans chemical weapons.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Wednesday the issuance of the presidential directive was in compliance with the country’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), an international treaty adopted in 1992 to outlaw the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons.
The President signed EO 39 last April 28, Ochoa said.
“There is a need to fully implement in the country the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons Convention since our country took part in the negotiations that led to its adoption as well as signed and ratified it,” said Ochoa, who also happens to be the head of ATC.
Ochoa noted that Paragraph 4, Article VII of the treaty provides that every party to the CWC shall establish a “National Authority” to coordinate between the Philippines and the Netherlands-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to which the Philippines is a member.
Prior to the issuance of EO 39, the Department of Foreign Affairs had been functioning as the interim Philippine National Authority (PNA) on CWC and other disarmament issues.
EO 39 shall take effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
Under the presidential fiat, the ATC shall be referred to as PNA-CWC, which will not only serve as national coordinating body for the OPCW but shall likewise be the lead agency in the implementation of the provisions of the treaty.
The Executive Secretary was appointed chairperson of the PNA-CWC with the ATC-Program Management Center serving as the Secretariat of the PNA-CWC.
To facilitate its work, EO 39 authorized the PNA-CWC to establish sub-committees, if it deems necessary, to render assistance in the implementation of its functions and serve as pool of experts. The PNA-CWC may also request personnel from other government agencies to assist its Secretariat.
EO 39 also directs all government departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities, including government-owned and -controlled corporations and government financial institutions to extend support to the PNA-CWC for the successful implementation of its functions.
The presidential issuance earmarked an initial funding of P5 million for the PNA-CWC, which shall be taken from the Contingent Fund of the Office of the President (OP). Subsequent funding for the PNA-CWC and its Secretariat shall be included in the budget of the ATC.
The CWC, also known as the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons Convention, was adopted on September 3, 1992. The Philippines signed and ratified the Convention on January 13, 1993 and February 21, 1995, respectively.
The Philippine Senate issued Resolution No. 49 on August 19, 1996, signifying its concurrence to the ratification of the Convention by the government. (PCOO)
Malacañang says no room for complacency in the Aquino administration
Despite scoring new high ratings in the aspects of helping the poor, setting good moral example, reconciliation with Muslim and communist rebels, natural disasters preparedness and housing programs for the poor, Malacanang disclosed on Wednesday that there is no room for complacency in the Aquino administration.
In an interview over government-run radio station Radyo ng Bayan on Wednesday, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr. assured that President Benigno S. Aquino III is working hard to accelerate economic growth in an environment of better governance and transparency.
The Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which covered the first three months of 2011, categorized as “good" the Aquino administration’s performance in certain areas despite of global oil price hikes due to unrest in the Middle East.
Coloma said the President remains focus on his priorities and initiatives to alleviate the economic situation of the people, especially the vulnerable sectors as well as to improve public service, to fight corruption and among other concerns.
The President is aware, Coloma stressed, that there is still a lot of hard work to do to pursue his administration’s goals. “So, iyong reality check ay nandoon pa rin sa aspeto na marami pa ring hamon sa larangan ng kabuhayan,” he said.
“Magtratrabaho pa ng mas mahusay sapagkat napakarami pa talagang dapat gawin para guminhawa ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan. At dapat lang na mas maging masipag at mas maging matulungin ang ating pamahalaan,” Coloma said. (PCOO)
Government intensifies security nationwide
The government said it has intensified its security measures in the country particularly in Metro Manila, following the death of Al Queda leader Osama bin Laden although there is no immediate threat detected.
During a press conference in Malacanang on Wednesday, National Security adviser Cesar Garcia said the President called for a Cabinet security group meeting to assess the implications of Bin Laden’s death on the country’s security.
“While we can’t discount retaliatory attacks by groups sympathetic to Osama bin Laden and his ideology we haven’t monitored any specific threat of an attack on Metro Manila. The terrorist threat level in Metro Manila remains at a moderate level,” Garcia said.
Moderate means that while threat groups may have the intent to undertake terrorist activities, their capability to carry out such intentions has not been monitored and deemed unlikely at this time, Garcia noted.
But in Mindanao particularly in Regions 9, 11, 12, and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), the threat level is assessed to be at a high level, Garcia said. This means that the threat groups have the intent and capability to undertake terrorist activities in these areas.
“In the localities of this region, the retaliatory attack against the US, its interest and its allies who fought against terror have been reasonably expected,” the President’s security adviser said.
Groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) along with the regional terror network Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and others have known sympathizers in this area. These groups can quickly mount attacks even without much preparation against their targets given the opportunity.
As countermeasures, even there is no report on an immediate threat to the Metropolis, the government upgraded security of critical infrastructures and other places deemed likely targets of terrorist attacks.
These include the embassies of countries engaged in a global war against terrorism, five-star hotels and other areas frequented by tourists, point of entry either by air or by sea, other transport facility and common public areas like churches and malls.
“In Mindanao, the AFP will sustain the momentum of its offensive against the Abu Sayyaf to keep them off balance unable to take the initiative to plan and execute a major terrorist attack in the NCR,” Garcia said.
In addition, the intelligence community is enhancing coordination to better focus its efforts to neutralize and locate high-value targets in the ASG as well as the JI elements embedded in the group.
At the same time, Garcia said the Armed forces has augmented the capability of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in counter terrorism measures particularly in guarding airports, sea ports as well as in conducting patrols both mobile and stationery. (PCOO)
Government renews its thrust against terrorism
The Philippine government has renewed its thrust against terrorism intensifying legal offensive to capture or deter terror suspects who are still in the country, President Benigno Aquino III’s security adviser said.
“The PNP [Philippine National Police] and other law enforcement agencies are undertaking measures to strengthen the legal offensive against suspected terrorists,” National Security adviser Cesar Garcia said in the press conference on Wednesday at Malacanang.
“In tandem with the program management center of the Anti-terrorism council, they will also carry out other measures to find their hardened potential targets of a terrorist attacks as well as anti-terror soft programs aimed at the hearts and minds of potential terrorist recruits through a comprehensive deradicalization campaign,” he said.
Garcia was reacting to a question propounded by reporters about the Rajah Solaiman Movement, a terrorist organization founded by a Christian who was converted to Islam.
The leaders of Rajah Solaiman Movement are now mostly in jail but there are some who were freed whose cases have been dismissed for lack of evidence and this is the target of PNP’s legal counter measures.
“The PNP has been tasked to intensify the legal offensive against suspected terrorist targets to make sure we account for them and among them are the remnants of the Rajah Solaiman if any,” Garcia said.
Rajah Solaiman Movement is named after the last king of Manila before the Spanish conquest in the 1500s, which introduced Catholicism along with European rule.
Similar to Abu Sayyaf, the converts belonging to this group claim they want to remake the country into an Islamic state.
Philippine authorities said the group's members were trained, financed and directed by Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiah, a regional terrorist group with links to Al Qaeda. (PCOO)
With or without survey results, all Cabinet officials will continue to work for the country -- Malacanang
Whether the approval ratings of President Benigno S. Aquino III go up or down as exemplified in the surveys, the entire Cabinet Officials will continue to work overtime to serve the Filipino people and to give what is best for the country.
“Whether the numbers go up, whether the numbers go down we continue to do our best in serving the country. As it stands, it is important to note that satisfaction with the administration remains at near-record levels,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said during the regular press briefing on Wednesday at Malacanang.
Lacierda noted that the recent survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) was conducted at a time of crisis where there were problems concerning the overseas Filipino workers, and continued oil price hikes.
“We are addressing all these concerns all the time, primarily economic concerns which have prompted the drop in the numbers (of President Aquino’s satisfaction rating),” he said.
Lacierda viewed the survey results as a mixed bag of good and moderate, saying it clearly showed that the people recognized the Aquino administration’s initiative on many fronts, including curbing graft and corruption in the government, criminality and addressing economic concerns.
He also expressed confidence that as the President's programs for keeping transport costs down, improving the efficiency of agriculture, attracting investments and providing jobs further expand, the public will be reassured.
Lacierda also said the Presidential Communications Group is currently working on a system to fast track the dissemination of good news or positive achievements of every government departments and agencies.
“So we would like to show more of the good news that the different agencies have done. And so, we are trying to work up a system na mas pabilisin ang paglabas ng good news,” Lacierda added. (PCOO)
Papal nuncio bids farewell to Aquino
Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, the papal nuncio to the Philippines, made a farewell call to President Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang on Wednesday as he moves to Greece to serve the same position there.
Archbishop Adams was accompanied by Monsignor Giorgio Chezza, first secretary, apostolic nunciature; Monsignor Gabor Pinter, first counselor, apostolic nunciature; and Fr. Rolando Garcia, assistant secretary, apostolic nunciature.
Also present during the farewell call of Adams was Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.
According to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Adams has been reassigned to Greece and will be holding the same position in that country. Greece has about 50,000 Catholics or about 0.5 percent of the country’s total population. Rome announced the archbishop’s new assignment in February.
Adams, 66, was the 15th in the line of apostolic delegates and apostolic nuncios to the Philippines.
The American prelate was named papal nuncio to the Philippines in September 2007 and in line with the diplomatic tradition in countries with a Catholic majority, he also became the dean of the diplomatic corps.
Adams was born in Philadelphia, USA in 1944 and was ordained priest in July 1970 for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He entered the Vatican’s diplomatic service in 1976.
Before coming to the Philippines, he worked in Rwanda, Kenya, Honduras, Ireland, Denmark and Czech Republic. He became the Apostolic Nuncio in Bangladesh in 1996 and also served the same position in Zimbabwe in 2002 to 2007.
A papal nuncio is a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or international organization having the rank of ambassador and plenipotentiary, usually with the ecclesiastical rank of titular archbishop. (PCOO)
Adams, 66, was the 15th in the line of apostolic delegates and apostolic nuncios to the Philippines.
The American prelate was named papal nuncio to the Philippines in September 2007 and in line with the diplomatic tradition in countries with a Catholic majority, he also became the dean of the diplomatic corps.
Adams was born in Philadelphia, USA in 1944 and was ordained priest in July 1970 for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He entered the Vatican’s diplomatic service in 1976.
Before coming to the Philippines, he worked in Rwanda, Kenya, Honduras, Ireland, Denmark and Czech Republic. He became the Apostolic Nuncio in Bangladesh in 1996 and also served the same position in Zimbabwe in 2002 to 2007.
A papal nuncio is a permanent diplomatic representative of the Holy See to a state or international organization having the rank of ambassador and plenipotentiary, usually with the ecclesiastical rank of titular archbishop. (PCOO)
