TRYING TIMES GAINED HIGH GROUND ON COVID-19 AND TERRORISM

By: Rommel K Manwong | Insights

Law Enforcement and Public Safety Academy 
Philippines, April 17, 2020

The beginning of this year 2020 is already colored in bloodshed. Even prior to the 16-day truce between the government forces and the CPP-NPA-NDF ended on January 7, the Communist NPA Terrorists (CNTs) have broken the ceasefire. As a matter of fact, NPA attacks were reported the first day alone of the ceasefire, and the days that followed: 1 killed - 6 wounded army personnel in Camarines Norte; 2 policemen wounded in Iloilo; 2 tribal leaders killed in Bukidnon; land mine attack in Surigao del Norte; and NPA harassment activities in different provinces around the country.

For the month of February 2020, terrorist attacks continued, even intensified not only against government forces but including civilian targets. There were clashes in Negros and Bohol leaving people on each side dead or wounded. Nevertheless, not all are good news goes for the enemy. A breakthrough happened on the part of the government for capturing top communist insurgent leader Rodolfo Salas in Region 3, on February 18. Plus, several surrenders of insurgents were recorded which must have made the enemy in continuous weakening and disadvantaged position.

By March 2020, while government forces are getting further breakthroughs with the neutralization of another top communist insurgent leader Julius Soriano Giron, in Baguio, the deadly COVID-19 entered the picture. This aggravated the already problematic situation, as people pass away in fear, and further devastating the country’s social and economic system.

The month of April 2020 has made a stepping stone for the enemies to gain high grounds. The government is now facing foes from different angles – internal politics from oppositionists and destabilizers, people in chaos, the enemy from the dark red side, the enemy with the black flag movement, and the unseen enemy COVID-19. As government forces continue multitasking services - their efforts in assisting people due to the pandemic, and accommodating insurgent surrenderees, still various attacks remain eminent. Just currently, 11 Philippine Army soldiers were killed and 14 others wounded in a gun battle with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Patikul, Sulu, on Friday, April 17. A crystal-clear case of terrorism amid the pandemic threat.

These issues, if not critically responded or properly treated, would precede the country in lowly doom. People cooperation is always needed during social turmoil. As people, we have to remain socially aware and responsible, highly vigilant, and supportive to government efforts rather than waiting for a miracle to happen.

From a strategic standpoint, we could be able to win, even though slow, against our enemies if we all set up a new breed - an integrated mindset of a morally upright, disciplined, responsive, and responsibly productive citizenry through our training or education systems, good governance on social services and our cultural heritages. On a tactical point of view, we need to utilize every household to keep and sustain the old tradition of bayanihan and other cooperative means and ways – for an empowered community.

Meanwhile, as we live with our freedom, we share sympathy with all our front liners working around the clock battling the pandemic. We also give our snappiest salute to our brave soldiers, hardworking policemen and their security and public safety counterparts. We cry with prayers of condolences to our fallen heroes in Sulu. Their ultimate sacrifices will never be forgotten.

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