VICE President Jejomar Binay on Monday called on the Asia-Pacific region’s top law enforcers to be vigilant against security threats facing not only each country but the region as a whole.
Binay made the call when he opened the five-day training conference of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Associates (FBINAA), which is being held in Manila.
The conference is being attended by more than 220 delegates from 22 countries.
The FBINAA is composed of law enforcement leaders who have completed the FBI’s prestigious national academy program.
“If we want to defend the things we believe in—liberty, free will and mutual respect—we must not only prepare for the worst, we must prepare for all possible contingencies,” Binay said.
He said rather than being reactive, law enforcers must be proactive against global security threats, like terrorist attacks, cross-border crimes and even natural disasters.
“We must always be a step ahead. We must never be content with being reactive, because the price of reactivity as opposed to preparedness is measured in lives lost—a price too high to pay for any individual or any nation,” he said.
Likewise, Binay cautioned the delegates against being complacent in their commitment to peace and security, urging them to continually update their knowledge on modern trends in global security threats and issues, as well as in the development of new tools and techniques that they can use.
“It is worth keeping in mind that the enemies are mirroring our own efforts. They are, without a doubt, finding new ways to get around our efforts to keep our people safe. Thus, what our jobs ask of us is that our labors never ever be less than theirs. We must always be a step ahead,” he said.
“We are all allies here—allies in the defense of humanity. Let us make the most of this opportunity and reignite our dedication to the preservation of life and liberty,” he added
Director Magtanggol Gatdula of the National Bureau of Investigation, FBINAA Asia-Pacific president, said the conference should advance the level of information sharing and multilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges in the region.
Meanwhile, Joseph Demarest Jr., assistant director for international operations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, said the FBI will continue to support the country’s effort to end the problems posed by both local and foreign terrorists.
He said the FBI will extend whatever assistance, including training, that will needed by the Aquino administration in the neutralization of Abu Sayyaf and Jema’ah Islamiyah militants.
Demarest said while the local and foreign terrorists are operating in the country, they are getting their financial support from abroad.
The FBI official also took note of the existing security and law enforcement cooperation between the Philippines and the United States which led in the extradition of nearly 200 fugitives to the US.
