JUST last Christmastide, there was a planetary consensus: “Delegations reiterated their unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, underlining that acts of terrorism constituted a serious threat to international peace and security and the rule of law as well as to the territorial integrity and stability of States. It was also noted that terrorism had adverse consequences on economic and social development, as well as sustainable development.” [https://www.un.org/en/ga/sixth/78/int_terrorism.shtml]
‘… for what we find worth defending, we must be ready to defend by military means, as this is the only prospect we have of assuring the defense of civil liberties…’
In that trans-continental gathering (Sixth Committee (Legal), Agenda Item 109, Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, 02 October 2023): Ambassador Sophea EAT, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Cambodia to the United Nations, reported on behalf of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that “within our region, we work under the guidance of the ASEAN Plan of Action to Prevent and Counter the Rise of Radicalization and Violent Extremism (2018-2025), which emphasizes on the application of a comprehensive and evidence-based approach.”
- The UAE “has been emphasizing the need to avoid using names under religious slogans in reference to terrorist groups, in particular Da’esh. Terrorist groups are deliberately using these designations to exploit religion to recruit fighters and supporters.” [Tahreer Al Marzooqi, Third Secretary, United Arab Emirates]
- “Any effective response to terrorism must address material injustice, including inequality and deprivation.” [Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See]
- “Those responsible must be held accountable, so we urge all States to comply without delay with their obligations under international law to cooperate actively to bring perpetrators to justice and avoid impunity.” [The Permanent Mission of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations and on behalf of the Community Of Latin American And Caribbean States]
As for the Philippines: “To address victims’ welfare, our law mandates the Anti-Terrorism Council to prevent victim dehumanization and radicalization. We also have the Marawi Compensation Act which compensates survivors of the 2017 Marawi Siege… In addition, our Task Force-Balik Loob (an interagency body created to help reintegrate former rebels and former violent extremists back to society) helps the subject individuals and their families as well as empowers their communities.”
Manila’s position is particularly relevant, considering the horrific event that would occur in Southern Philippines two months later. The terror group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the bombing at the gymnasium of the Marawi City campus of the Mindanao State University that killed four and injured 50 others on 03 December 2023, which was the first Sunday of Advent. [“Marcos condemns ‘senseless, most heinous’ Marawi bombing,” https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1214765]
In the case of Russia: “Civil society should be more actively involved in preventive work to prevent the spread of terrorist and extremist ideology. It is important to create an atmosphere of categorical rejection of terrorism and extremism in our societies. There can be no justification for their manifestations, no matter what ideological, religious or national slogans are invented for this…We cannot fail to note the growing threat of terrorist attacks motivated by xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance or in the name of religion or belief. In this regard, the Russian side fully shares concerns about the growing popularity of ultra-right extremist movements, including those inspired by Nazi ideology.” [Oleg Mikhailov, Representative of the Russian Federation in the Sixth Committee of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly under agenda item 109]
These words should have been taken more seriously by the citizens of the world. Since public attention is siphoned daily by social media shenanigans and so-called influencers, a tragedy was not averted. The FSB foiled an attack on a Moscow synagogue by Islamic State’s affiliate in Afghanistan, (Isis-Khorasan or Isis-K, which seeks a caliphate across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Iran), but sadly four Tajik gunmen of ISIS (aided by five others) targeted the music venue in Crocus City Hall, Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region, killing 144 people (including five children) and injuring 551 on the evening of March 22, 2024. [https://tass.com/emergencies/1768159]
That October of 2023, Mikhailov had also warned the UN: “In our collective efforts to combat terrorism and extremism, it is crucial to address the troubling links between terrorism and ideologies such as Nazism and neo-Nazism… In this regard, we reaffirm our commitment to abide by the principles of existing General Assembly resolutions, including those aimed at combating the glorification of Nazism.”
Thus, every venue is crucial, including the Kagitingan Symposium on World War Two in the Philippines mounted by Sociedad de Historia (the premier organization of history majors in De La Salle University-Manila) last 03 April 2024 where Dr. Marcelino Macapinlac, Jr., Prof. Gil Ramos and Dr. Michael Charleston B. Chua, among others, expounded on different aspects of the country’s involvement in the war. Alejandro Espino and Sociedad de Historia “believe that the Filipino youth needs to be reminded of the sacrifices made by their forefathers for the sake of their country as tales of heroes are often overshadowed by historical distortion and short-form history on social media.” Prof. Karganilla and the Hunters-ROTC Historical Society reminded the audience: for what we find worth defending, we must be ready to defend by military means, as this is the only prospect we have of assuring the defense of civil liberties and other good things in Southeast Asia and Western Pacific.
- The defense of the Fatherland cannot be abandoned to the arbitrary whim of individuals. Maritess, Basilio, Juan Tamad and other characters of Filipino society will compel conscription or forced draft.
- The 60 dynasties will never permit the democratic realization of our Constitutional principles. A reactionary dictatorship will re-appear, as what happened in Mussolini’s Italy, Hitler’s Germany and Hirohito’s Japan.
- While the original United Nations was a fighting force that defeated Hitlerism, current global security policies and purported collective actions against terrorism seem to exhibit the free-riding problem. Even with the palpable Sitzfleisch and sadism of the neo-Nazis, takfiri death cults and clerico-fascists, these freeloaders, moochers and other parasites are deluded that they are innocent bystanders in the looming Third World War.
