By Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Security threats must first be neutralized for the Philippines to achieve economic progress, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Tuesday.
“The first thing that we should be doing which we have been doing all along is to try to eradicate terrorism or communist insurgency all over the Philippines. The President (Rodrigo Duterte) has been constantly reminding us that we cannot progress until we eradicate these menaces to society,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said during the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) press conference held at the Asean Theater at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on Tuesday.
As the country moves to achieve these goals, he said the Department of National Defense (DND) is constantly improving the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“This (is done) by procuring more defense equipment as well as pushing for legislative measures that will help secure our communities,” he added.
Lorenzana also said the DND has been supporting the passage of a new law to amend the Republic Act 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007.
He added that the DND believes it is necessary to pass such amendments to enhance security forces’ efforts to enforce the country’s laws and protect the people.
The DND has also been consistent in its call for the Filipino people to closely work with the authorities and remain united in the prevention and countering of violent extremism in the country.
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