By Brian Campued
Malacañang has urged the foreign media to be discerning and responsible in their reporting following the depiction of the Philippines as a hub for terrorists.
“Maging mapanuri at maging responsable din po sa pagpapahayag at lalo po ito ay nakakaapekto sa integridad at imahe ng Pilipinas,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing Wednesday.
The Palace made the statement after authorities confirmed that the gunmen behind the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Sydney had stayed in the Philippines for 28 days before returning to Australia.
According to Castro, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Anti-Terrorism Council to remain vigilant against possible terror threats and to continue coordination with international partners to ensure national security.
“The President strongly rejects the sweeping statement and the misleading characterization of the Philippines as an ISIS training hotspot,” she said.
In a statement read by Castro, the National Security Council’s (NSC) asserted that there are no validated reports showing that the father-son suspects allegedly underwent training in the Philippines nearly a month before the attack in Bondi Beach on Sunday, Dec. 14.
“Philippine authorities, in coordination with international partners, continue to verify all available information but no evidence has been presented to support claims that the country was used for terrorist training,” the NSC said.
Since the Marawi Siege in 2017, the Council noted, local forces have “significantly degraded” ISIS-affiliated groups in the country—with both United Nations and United States assessments indicating that “these groups now operate in a fragmented and diminished capacity.”
“Violence in Mindanao is largely driven by historical conflicts and local clan disputes, rather than the operational capacity of ISIS-affiliated organizations.”
The NSC underscored the significant improvements achieved in the domestic security environment that was previously affected by terrorism.
“These developments reflect the sustained efforts of our security forces and the resilience of our communities in advancing peace, order, and development across the nation,” the NSC said.
In a post on X, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Sec. Ma. Theresa Lazaro said she spoke by phone with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday as she conveyed her condolences to the Australian people.
“The Philippines stands firmly in solidarity with Australia and underscores strong Philippine-Australia cooperation in security and law enforcement matters,” Lazaro said.
“We reaffirm our support for efforts that protect communities from intolerance, hatred, and violence,” she added.
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