DATU ABDULLAH SANGKI, Maguindanao — Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go said President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Israel could help boost the Philippines’ campaign against terror.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 4th Kagalawan Festival and the 14th anniversary of this town on Monday, Go said Israel has anti-terror capabilities that could help the country in its own fight against terrorists.
“Israel could help us big time, their capability on anti-terrorism,” Go said.
He did not specify if an anti-terror cooperation would be among the agreements that would be signed during Duterte’s visit starting Sept. 3. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had invited Duterte, the first Philippine President to make a visit to the Jewish state.
“But we will have joint agreements with Israel,” Go added.
The government has been battling terror groups identified with the Islamic State, some of which have engaged troops in a five-month battle in Marawi City starting May 23 last year.
The government also labeled communist rebels as terrorists because of their use of explosives and unprovoked attacks against government troops and civilians.
Go said Duterte will also meet with Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are in Israel.
“I just don’t know the exact number but there are around 20,000 of our kababayans there,” Go added. (Allan Nawal/PNA)
