Philippines’ ‘democratic space’ invites terrorism

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) --Top military and police officials said Monday that terrorist groups are drawn to the Philippines because the country enjoys too much ‘democratic space’.

They were reacting to a statement by Russel Salic, a Filipino doctor charged with transferring money to suspects involved in a foiled terror plot last year targeting New York City’s subway and Times Square, who said the Philippines is a breeding ground for terrorists.

“The country enjoys so much democratic space that is being exploited by terror groups and also criminal groups,” military chief General Eduardo Año said.

Año cited inadequate security legislation in the country compared to countries such as Singapore, the U.S., Malaysia and Australia which allowed for the arrest of individuals based on suspicion.

Police chief Ronald dela Rosa shared this sentiment, saying the country’s democratic space “sometimes borders on indiscipline”.

Dela Rosa cited the lack of a national ID system in the Philippines as well as unrestricted issuance of prepaid SIM cards for mobile phones as among the limitations that make it hard for the authorities to track criminal and terror groups.

Conversations with a U.S. agent who posed as a Daesh supporter revealed Salic as saying that terror laws in the Philippines are not strict, and that is why “terrorists from all over the world usually come here”.

Salic, who is also facing kidnapping and murder charges in the Philippines, has been in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation since April.

The Philippine government is committed to full cooperation with the U.S. and said it will process his extradition after he has been formally charged with involvement in the plan to carry out the terror attacks in New York.