CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hosted the 1st ASEAN Militaries Analyst-to-Analyst Intelligence Exchange (AMAAIE) Conference on Terrorism from 27 to 28 September 2011 at Traders Hotel, Roxas Blvd., Manila. With the theme, “Working Towards Convergence in Combating Terrorism Within the ASEAN Region,” the conference aimed to determine significant changes in the terrorism landscape and align efforts to enhance collective security within the ASEAN region.
Conceived and spearheaded by MGen Francisco N Cruz Jr, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, J2, AFP, the 1st AMAAIE pushed through despite the unforgiving weather condition, with the attendance and participation by thirty-eight analysts from all the ten ASEAN member-countries as well as subject-matter experts, namely, Prof. Rohan Gunarathna from the International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), renowned journalist Ms. Maria Ressa, Assistant Secretary Raymund Jose G. Quilop from the Department of national Defense (DND) and Prof. Renato De Castro from De La Salle University.
With varying backgrounds and practices on tackling terrorism in Southeast Asia, the intelligence exchange was a learning and enriching experience for all. The analysts have all agreed that despite significant achievements is disrupting the terrorist network in Southeast Asia, the socio-political environment in the ASEAN is continuously changing and that the possibility of a renewed threat cannot be ruled out.
The occasion was graced by LtGen Anthony J Alcantara, the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff, during the Opening Ceremony on 27 September and LtGen Reynaldo B Mapagu, the AFP Vice Chief of Staff, during the Closing Ceremony on 28 September. Both recognized the vulnerability of the ASEAN region to transnational security threats and underscored that an important factor in putting multilateralism into practice is through social interaction and network-building among subject-matter experts.
LtGen Mapagu emphasized the importance of the event, saying that “Gone are the days when we are confused about who is fighting for what, and where and how such violent attacks targeting even the unarmed members of our societies are perpetrated. Through the collaborative efforts and cooperation of our leaders and organizations, we have unearthed the face of terrorism, what it is, and how it operates.” MGen Cruz, for his part, underscored that “at the face of terror threats, one cannot afford to live in isolation…” and that this kind of event “has given flesh and bones to multilateralism as an approach to counter the threat of terrorism.”
A Resolution was also signed by the senior representatives of the ASEAN member-countries recommending to the ASEAN Military intelligence Chiefs (MICs) the adoption of a Terrorist Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) to enhance situational awareness and foster synergy and convergence towards more effective collaboration in implementing counter-terrorism measures; continuous conduct of an annual ASEAN Militaries Analyst-to-Analyst Intelligence Exchange Conference; and to support the establishment of an information-sharing mechanism on terrorism-related matters among ASEAN intelligence analysts.
The exchange ended on a positive note as it has certainly assured ASEAN member-countries of each other’s commitment and readiness to provide assistance in strengthening collective security within the region.