BARMM exec’s paper on counter-terrorism strategies vs Abu Sayyaf cited
Retired Gen. Ferdinand Cartujano (left), president of NDCP, and DND Ubdersecretary Ignacio Madriaga (middle) hand out the certificate to BARMM MP Amir Mawallil for being a finalist in the best thesis award. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
A paper that delved deep into the counter-terrorism strategies employed against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) written by a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament was awarded as one of the best theses at the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP).
The thesis paper of Member of Parliament Amir Mawallil entitled “Enhancing National Security: An Analysis of Philippine Government Counter-Terrorism Strategies Against the Abu Sayyaf Group in Sulu Province” obtained a special award as a finalist for best thesis.
Mawallil graduated from the NDCP under its Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) Program last Friday, June 7, and his paper closely examines Sulu’s efforts to stamp out the terrorist threat of the ASG in the island province.
The MP emphasized the importance of continuing academic endeavors on counter-terrorism strategies against terror groups such as the ASG to serve as guides for future strategies should threats emerge.
Although there has been a significant recorded drop in terroristic activities of the ASG in the last six years, there are only a few studies to chronicle the successes of efforts to curb terrorism not only in Sulu but in other provinces as well.
In September 2023, the Province of Sulu was declared free from any influence of the ASG, as declared by the Sulu Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC).
“For me, this is very crucial as we can really learn from the experiences of Sulu in significantly diminishing the strength of terrorist groups or nip it in the bud if it takes root in our communities,” Mawallil said.
Mawallil is one of the 25 senior government executives who graduated from the NDCP’s MNSA Program.
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