NSC welcomes Philippines 'slightly improved' rank in global terrorism index | ABS-CBN
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NSC welcomes Philippines 'slightly improved' rank in global terrorism index
NSC welcomes Philippines 'slightly improved' rank in global terrorism index
Bianca Dava,
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 17, 2023 04:27 PM PHT
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MANILA — The National Security Council (NSC) on Monday said it welcomes the Philippines' slightly improved performance in the 2023 Global Terrorism Index (GTI).
MANILA — The National Security Council (NSC) on Monday said it welcomes the Philippines' slightly improved performance in the 2023 Global Terrorism Index (GTI).
The Philippines is in the 18th spot out of 163 countries as having the worst impact of terrorism. It is a rank lower from the previous report, although it still places the country in the category where there is "high" impact of terrorism.
The Philippines is in the 18th spot out of 163 countries as having the worst impact of terrorism. It is a rank lower from the previous report, although it still places the country in the category where there is "high" impact of terrorism.
“Since the GTI’s inception a decade ago, the Philippines languished in the top 10 list of countries battered by terrorism, along with war-torn states like Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Such notoriety, according to the same reports, was due to the atrocities mostly committed by the communist terrorist group New People’s Army and armed groups affiliated with known international terrorist organizations,” NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said in an online press briefing.
“Since the GTI’s inception a decade ago, the Philippines languished in the top 10 list of countries battered by terrorism, along with war-torn states like Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia. Such notoriety, according to the same reports, was due to the atrocities mostly committed by the communist terrorist group New People’s Army and armed groups affiliated with known international terrorist organizations,” NSC assistant director general Jonathan Malaya said in an online press briefing.
“To be specific, an in-depth study of the trend in GTI data would show that from 2011 to 2020, the country hovered around the 10th spot in the index until it showed great improvements in its GTI for the years 2021 at 16th place and 2022 at 17th place,” he added.
“To be specific, an in-depth study of the trend in GTI data would show that from 2011 to 2020, the country hovered around the 10th spot in the index until it showed great improvements in its GTI for the years 2021 at 16th place and 2022 at 17th place,” he added.
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The GTI, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, is a report that “provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism over the last decade.”
The GTI, produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, is a report that “provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism over the last decade.”
“’Yung GTI, sinusukat natin sa apat na indicators: ‘yung number of terrorism incidents, number of fatalities, number of those injured and number of hostages. Napababa natin iyan. Ibig sabihin, gumanda ang ating ranking, not necessarily naging number 1 tayo. Mas mataas ang numero, mas maganda," Director Florentino Manalastas Jr. of the Anti-Terrorism Council Program Management Center explained during the online briefing.
“’Yung GTI, sinusukat natin sa apat na indicators: ‘yung number of terrorism incidents, number of fatalities, number of those injured and number of hostages. Napababa natin iyan. Ibig sabihin, gumanda ang ating ranking, not necessarily naging number 1 tayo. Mas mataas ang numero, mas maganda," Director Florentino Manalastas Jr. of the Anti-Terrorism Council Program Management Center explained during the online briefing.
"Eventually, ang gusto nating mangyari ay mawala tayo sa listahan ng terrorism-affected countries,” he added.
"Eventually, ang gusto nating mangyari ay mawala tayo sa listahan ng terrorism-affected countries,” he added.
Based on the 2023 report, the Philippines recorded its lowest level of terrorism with 20 incidents and 18 fatalities, a drop of 68 percent and 65 percent, respectively, compared to the year prior. It also recorded 38 injuries and zero hostages.
Based on the 2023 report, the Philippines recorded its lowest level of terrorism with 20 incidents and 18 fatalities, a drop of 68 percent and 65 percent, respectively, compared to the year prior. It also recorded 38 injuries and zero hostages.
Afghanistan occupied the top spot, followed by Burkina Faso, Somalia, Mali, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Myanmar and Niger.
Afghanistan occupied the top spot, followed by Burkina Faso, Somalia, Mali, Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Myanmar and Niger.
Malaya and Manalastas attributed the improvement in the Philippine situation to the government’s resolve to address the root causes of insurgency through the implementation of landmark measures such as the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, the campaign in preventing and countering violent extremism, and the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Malaya and Manalastas attributed the improvement in the Philippine situation to the government’s resolve to address the root causes of insurgency through the implementation of landmark measures such as the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, the campaign in preventing and countering violent extremism, and the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
“This could only mean one thing: The Philippine government is on the right track and by that we shall continue all counter-insurgency efforts we started years back, focusing mainly on our local peace initiatives and good governance espoused by the NTF-ELCAC under the guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Malaya said.
“This could only mean one thing: The Philippine government is on the right track and by that we shall continue all counter-insurgency efforts we started years back, focusing mainly on our local peace initiatives and good governance espoused by the NTF-ELCAC under the guidance of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,” Malaya said.
In the Asia-Region, the Philippines is the second most affected country by terrorism, next to Myanmar. They were followed by Indonesia, Thailand and New Zealand.
In the Asia-Region, the Philippines is the second most affected country by terrorism, next to Myanmar. They were followed by Indonesia, Thailand and New Zealand.
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Aircraft lease firm opens unit in PH
Aircraft lease firm opens unit in PH
MANILA — Avion Express Philippines has been launched in the country as a new player in the aviation sector.
MANILA — Avion Express Philippines has been launched in the country as a new player in the aviation sector.
It vowed to help the local aviation industry by offering ACMI or known in aviation as Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance.
It vowed to help the local aviation industry by offering ACMI or known in aviation as Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance.
Its business is to offer aircraft for lease to airlines to address the growing travel demand in the country.
Its business is to offer aircraft for lease to airlines to address the growing travel demand in the country.
Avion Express is under the Avia Solutions Group which has over 200 aircraft globally.
Avion Express is under the Avia Solutions Group which has over 200 aircraft globally.
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The company has been leasing aircraft to dozens of airlines, particularly in Asia and South America. It also has presence in Vietnam and other key cities.
The company has been leasing aircraft to dozens of airlines, particularly in Asia and South America. It also has presence in Vietnam and other key cities.
“Philippines is one of the sizable markets in Asia Pacific… We believe that we can be useful for the local carriers to providing non expensive tickets during the peak season. Much more tickets than they can provide with their own fleet, but adding our fleet we can sell much more tickets for a reasonable price,” said Avia Solutions Group Chairman Gediminias Ziemelis.
“Philippines is one of the sizable markets in Asia Pacific… We believe that we can be useful for the local carriers to providing non expensive tickets during the peak season. Much more tickets than they can provide with their own fleet, but adding our fleet we can sell much more tickets for a reasonable price,” said Avia Solutions Group Chairman Gediminias Ziemelis.
The Philippine unit plans to own at least two aircraft this year which will be registered in the Philippines. It targets three planes per year and at least 15 aircraft in the next 5 years.
The Philippine unit plans to own at least two aircraft this year which will be registered in the Philippines. It targets three planes per year and at least 15 aircraft in the next 5 years.
Avion Express Philippines CEO Rene Philip Banzon said they have already talked to various local carriers. Leasing an aircraft is a global practice which Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific did in recent years due to supply chain issues which grounded many aircraft.
Avion Express Philippines CEO Rene Philip Banzon said they have already talked to various local carriers. Leasing an aircraft is a global practice which Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific did in recent years due to supply chain issues which grounded many aircraft.
But Banzon said the local airlines previously would lease from foreign carriers, now they can do so with a local company with local crew members. And the process would be quicker and airlines may also decide to repaint or reconfigure the jet or not.
But Banzon said the local airlines previously would lease from foreign carriers, now they can do so with a local company with local crew members. And the process would be quicker and airlines may also decide to repaint or reconfigure the jet or not.
“We’re going to be the first one that is really Philippine-based with locally registered aircraft. It’s really plug and play… You just put the specs in your approval and then you can fly tomorrow,” Banzon added.
“We’re going to be the first one that is really Philippine-based with locally registered aircraft. It’s really plug and play… You just put the specs in your approval and then you can fly tomorrow,” Banzon added.
Though they will have only two planes this year, Banzon said if demand grows, they can always get aircraft from the mother company. He added that the number of passengers is seasonal so when it’s winter in Europe, there is lower travel demand, so aircraft can be deployed to other countries like the Philippines where December travel is always at its peak.
Though they will have only two planes this year, Banzon said if demand grows, they can always get aircraft from the mother company. He added that the number of passengers is seasonal so when it’s winter in Europe, there is lower travel demand, so aircraft can be deployed to other countries like the Philippines where December travel is always at its peak.
This model also works if airlines would want to experiment on a new destination.
This model also works if airlines would want to experiment on a new destination.
Banzon said, “Other airlines may want to try a new route. It’s a trial. It’s good to use a leased aircraft for three months. Because if it didn’t work, you can return the aircraft.”
Banzon said, “Other airlines may want to try a new route. It’s a trial. It’s good to use a leased aircraft for three months. Because if it didn’t work, you can return the aircraft.”
He added they can also lease their aircraft to foreign carriers. This business is also beneficial to airlines who have ordered aircraft, but the delivery would still take many years.
He added they can also lease their aircraft to foreign carriers. This business is also beneficial to airlines who have ordered aircraft, but the delivery would still take many years.
Various government agencies welcome the arrival of the new company saying this will further boost the local tourism industry. But they assert that regulatory procedures must always be followed.
Various government agencies welcome the arrival of the new company saying this will further boost the local tourism industry. But they assert that regulatory procedures must always be followed.
Civil Aeronautics Board Deputy Executive Director Maria Elben Moro said, “It is important there be a regulatory framework for ACMI arrangements to ensure that safety is maintained to the highest standard and that efficiency and direct competition in the industry are likewise maintained.”
Civil Aeronautics Board Deputy Executive Director Maria Elben Moro said, “It is important there be a regulatory framework for ACMI arrangements to ensure that safety is maintained to the highest standard and that efficiency and direct competition in the industry are likewise maintained.”
She added, “The regulation requires that passengers must be properly and adequately informed about the ACMI arrangement, which airline is operating the flight, and which airline is liable in cases of service disruptions, claims, or complaints.”
She added, “The regulation requires that passengers must be properly and adequately informed about the ACMI arrangement, which airline is operating the flight, and which airline is liable in cases of service disruptions, claims, or complaints.”
Avion Express Philippines vowed to follow Philippine regulatory processes and they also assure the public all their aircraft undergo strict safety procedures. In fact, in all of the hundreds of aircraft of the global firm, they said, there has been no accident reported.
Avion Express Philippines vowed to follow Philippine regulatory processes and they also assure the public all their aircraft undergo strict safety procedures. In fact, in all of the hundreds of aircraft of the global firm, they said, there has been no accident reported.
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