MANILA, Philippines—Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay called for stronger border security in the wake of the recent bombings in Jolo, Sulu, saying the Philippines’ coastlines and waterways have become “maneuver space” for terrorists. “We have to beef up our maritime security,” Gapay told reporters on the sidelines of National Heroes’ Day commemoration in Taguig City on Monday (Aug. 31). The military believed the bombings were the work of the homegrown terror group Abu Sayyaf, which has pledged allegiance to Islamic State. Gapay said the military has intensified its intelligence operations to probe into the logistics and support system of the terror suspects. Security, he said, was a “shared responsibility” and called for the support of other government agencies and the public in the war on terror.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 31, 2020 12:56 UTC