Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda underscores PH dedication to confronting the threats of terrorism and highlights the nation's proactive role in promoting international peace and security, in a statement at the Sixth Committee General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the agenda item on Measures to prevent international terrorism (Photo Credit: New York PM)
UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK, 03 October 2023 — During the Sixth Committee General Debate of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda, spotlighted the Philippines' robust measures and strategies in addressing the challenges of international terrorism in the context of global peace and security.
Deputy Permanent Representative Peñaranda stated that "the threat from international and local terrorist groups remains a significant challenge to global security." He emphasized the country's eagerness to contribute to international efforts against terrorism, stating, "We are eager to contribute to the international efforts and overall initiatives to countering terrorism and violent extremism, in line with the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy's four pillars, and consistent with human rights and the rule of law."
Detailing the nation's proactive measures, he highlighted the Philippines' adoption of strategies to counter and prevent terrorism and radicalization. He asserted, "Our unrelenting resolve to address its root causes has led to a significant improvement in the Philippine outlook." Among these strategies, the "Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020" was cited as a pivotal step in a "whole-of-nation approach to prevent and suppress international terrorism." The nation's comprehensive initiatives also encompass efforts to counter terrorism financing, enhance border control, and secure cyberspace.
Reflecting upon the 2017 terrorist siege in Marawi City, Ambassador Peñaranda underscored its profound impact, noting that "Marawi has since risen from the rubble and ashes." He emphasized that such events have magnified the urgency to address the conditions that lure individuals to extremist groups at the grassroots level.
On the subject of victim support, the Philippines has placed significant emphasis on their welfare. "Our law mandates the Anti-Terrorism Council to prevent victim dehumanization and radicalization," Deputy Permanent Representative Peñaranda shared, further citing the "Marawi Compensation Act" that supports survivors of the 2017 Marawi Siege.
Highlighting international collaborations, Deputy Permanent Representative Peñaranda detailed the nation's partnership with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), focusing on "addressing victims' rights and needs through comprehensive assistance plans and model legislation." Additionally, he emphasized the nation's commitment to "ensuring that terrorists will find no safe haven anywhere."
In a nod to international solidarity, the Deputy Permanent Representative said, "With the adoption by consensus of the 8th iteration of the GCTS, the community of nations once again reaffirmed the four pillars of this living document." Echoing the words of Foreign Secretary Enrique A. Manalo, Deputy Permanent Representative Peñaranda concluded by stressing the importance of a rules-based global order and reaffirmed the Philippines' commitment to collective efforts anchored in the rule of law.
The Sixth Committee is the primary forum for the consideration of legal questions in the General Assembly. The agenda item entitled “Measures to prevent international terrorism which endangers or takes innocent human lives or jeopardizes fundamental freedoms, and study of the underlying causes of those forms of terrorism and acts of violence which lie in misery, frustration, grievance and despair and which cause some people to sacrifice human lives, including their own, in an attempt to effect radical changes” was included in the agenda of the twenty-seventh session of the General Assembly further to an initiative of the Secretary-General. At that session, the Assembly decided to establish the Ad Hoc Committee on International Terrorism, consisting of 35 members. END