The Philippines’ security risk score remains lower than the regional average, a Fitch Group unit said, citing fresh encounters between the military and Islamic militants. “The latest clash in March between the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and Islamic militants in the southern Maguindanao province accentuates our view that the security situation in the Philippines remains precarious,” BMI Research said in a report. BMI believes the threat of terrorism is rising and that risks to the security situation are weighted to the downside. “This poses downside risk to the security situation. As a reflection of the difficult and volatile security situation, BMI said it continues to score the Philippines poorly at 63.1 out of 100 in our short-term political index, compared with a regional average of 68.2.

Source: Manila Times March 18, 2018 16:18 UTC