AFP chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay. (File photo)
MANILA – Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, on Monday cited the need to monitor individuals or groups buying precursor materials such as ammonium nitrate which can be used for bomb-making.
Gapay also called for the regulation on the purchase of these materials.
"Materials that could be used for bomb-making like ammonium nitrate should be monitored, especially those buying and transporting them in large quantities," Gapay said in a mix of Filipino and English during an interview.
Ammonium nitrate is used in agriculture as a high-nitrogen fertilizer while its other major use is as a component of explosive mixtures used in mining, quarrying, and civil construction.
Aside from bomb-making materials, logistics, and support systems, including financing of terrorist organizations, must be looked into and scrutinized more thoroughly.
"That’s why we are calling on all other agencies, the general public and other stakeholders to work with us to really put an end to this terrorism, not only in Sulu but in the entire country," Gapay said.
He also added that terrorism is a multi-dimensional problem that needs the concerted effort of everyone in order to be defeated.
"Security is a shared responsibility by all of us, so that’s why the security sector should be supported by the local government units," Gapay said. (PNA)
