Welcome to the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research (PIPVTR)!

Countering Political Violence and Terrorism Through Peace Research

SERVICES:  Researching,Training and Consulting for Peace and Security

The PIPVTR is an independent, non-stock, non-governmental research organization officially registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on 29 November 2007 as Philippine Institute for Political Violence and Terrorism Research.  It was first conceptualized in September 2005 by a group of experts, academics and practitioners who see the need to establish a center  in the Philippines dedicated to the study of political violence and terrorism and their implications for peace and security. The PIPVTR was officially launched on 6 March 2008 at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, the Chairman of the Philippine Anti-Terrorism Council.   Ermita described the PIPVTR as the country's "pioneering think tank on terrorism research and studies". 

The PIPVTR is renamed as PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR PEACE, VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM RESEARCH in order to bring peace studies into political violence and terrorism research.  The PIPVTR is a member of the Council for Asian Terrorism Research (CATR) and a partner of the  UN Center on Global Counterterrorism Cooperation.       

To broaden the research agenda of the Institute in the light of post-9/11 security challenges that have tremendous impacts on peace, violence and terrorism issues, two centers have been created:  the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies (CINSS) and the Center for Transnational Crimes Research and Non-Traditional Security Studies (CTCNTS). In cooperation with INEX Global Infrastructure Exchange , PIPVTR is going to form the International Center for Infrastructure Security (ICIS). The PIPVTR regularly participates in the annual Shangrila Dialogue organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Chairman of the Anti-Terrorism Council
(ATC), signed PIPVTR launching paper. ATC Spokesperson, Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, and PIPVTR Founding Chairman, Prof. Rommel C. Banlaoi, witnessed the signing.

PIPVTR Joins IAG in Security Sector Transformation Training in Maguindanao

To promote the good governance of the security sector and to propagate the culture of peacebuilding in the Southern Philippines, the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research (PIPVTR) joins the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in the security sector transformation training of police, military, civil society organization and local government officials of the first district of Maguindanao.  The training is being held in Insular Hotel, Davao City from 11-13 March 2010.  The training is funded by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF).  It is also being supported by the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Western Mindanao Command of the Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer and PDir Felizardo Serapio, respectively.

Visiting Internally Displaced Persons in Datu Piang, Maguindanao

In cooperation with the Mindanao Tulong Bakwet (MTB), PIPVTR Executive Director visited the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Datu Piang, Maguindanao on 10 March 2010.  The purpose of the visit was to conduct premilinary assessment of the human security situation of the IDPs for purposes of public policy development and improvement.  Around   half million  IDPs have been estimated in Mindanao, but PIPVTR only visited a particular evacuation area where there are 140 families considered to be IDPs.  PIPVTR also passed by other evaucation areas where IDPs continue to stay for almost two years.  The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) estimated 125,000 to 188,000 IDPs in Mindanao as a result of armed conflicts involving the Philippine military and the moro rebels.  Click here for the IDMC country study of IDPs in the Philippines.  Also  Download full Internal Displacement Profile of the Philippines. Below is a photo of a two-month old IDP in Datu Piang (photo taken by PIPVTR).

PIPVTR Reports:  NPAs Eye P5B from Poll Extortion

In a Forum organized by the Philippine Army on 5 March 2010, the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research (PIPVTR) reported that  the New People's Army (NPA) is collecting billions of pesos from its  Permit to Campaign (PTC) fees.  From the point of view of the NPA, the collection of PTC fees is part of the over-all strategy of this armed group to assert its de-facto control  of its "territories" and to demonstrate its political power, authority and sovereignty as a revolutionary movement so it can push its goal to be recognized as a belligerent group.  Fees are used to finance  the revolutionary activities of the NPA  and to lure the loyalty of its people in its controlled and influenced areas.    The forum, attended by the top brass of the Philippine Army,  featured the lecture of Hon. Rene V. Sarmiento of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Commissioner Sarmiento said the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), is projected to generate about P2 to P5 billion from their permit to campaign (PTC)and permit to win (PTW)fees this year. Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento, interviewed after a dialogue with Army commanders, also said that the NPAs collected P1.5 billion and P2 billion during the 2004 and 2007 elections, respectively, through such extortion schemes.  “According to the reports we received today, the NPAs in 2004 raised P1.5 billion. In 2007, they raised P2 billion. For 2010, according to the reports, it will range from P2 billion to P5 billion,” Sarmiento told reporters.“ These are serious reports because these have repercussions on our elections and democracy. I hope our institutions, including AFP and PNP, will address the serious character of these PTCs and PTWs,” said Sarmiento.  Sarmiento said the money that the NPAs stand to earn “could threaten the existence of democracy.”

When asked what was the basis of his information, Sarmiento said: “This was a report coming from one of our reactors, Prof. Rommel Banlaoi. He is the source of this information…If its true, the P2 to P5 billion is alarming.”  Banlaoi is currently the chairman of the board and the executive director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism Research. He is also the head the PIPVTR’s center for intelligence and national security studies. Click here to read more. Photo credit here.

 Security Sector Transformation to Address Political Violence and Terrorism

Transforming the country's security sector is one effective means to address the isue of political violence and terrorism in the Philippines, says Prof. Rommel Banlaoi in a security sector transformation training of police, military, civil society organizations and local government officials of the Second District of Maguindanao organized by the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF) held at Grand Men Seng Hotel,  Davao City on 25 February 2010.  Political violence and terrorism thrive in an area where there is a failure of the security sector to provide order and prevent groups and individuals to arm themselves illegimately.  Security sector transformation is implemented to pursue peace building efforts for the resolution of internal armed conflicts.  It also part of the over-all process of democratization to ensure the democratic governance of the security sector so that it can perform its mandated role to provide internal and external security for the people and the state.  In his welcoming message, Lt. General Raymundo G. Ferrer, Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, emphasized that security sector transformation is needed to sustain the efforts of peace-building in the Philippines. PDIR Felizardo M. Serapio, Jr., DIrector of DIPO PNP Western Mindanao, also presented  peace advocacy and security reform in the police force as part of the over-all process of security sector transformation. Another training is set on 11-15 March 2010 for the First District of Maguindanao.  The province of Maguindanao was put in the local and international media because of the massacre of 57 civilians in November 2009.

Counter Terrorism Measures in Southeast Asia

Though countries in Southeast Asia have made significant progress in counter-terrorism, terrorism  in the region continues to pose a threat as there are remaining members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)  who have the intent and capability to wreak havoc, says Prof. Rommel Banlaoi is a public forum organized by the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) held at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) on 24 February 2010 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  During the said public forum, Prof. Banlaoi also opined that Malaysia has the capability to prevent terrorism from taking root in the country due to its good track record in combating past insurgencies and its more disciplined law enforcement agencies.  Click  here to read more.  Prior to the lecture, Prof. Banlaoi met  on 23 February 2010 Ambassador Ahmad Shahizan Abd Samad, SEARCCT Director General, where they exhanged views on counter-terrorism cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Public Understanding of and Response to Terrorism in the Philippines

Organized by the National University of Malaysia, PIPVTR presented a paper entitled "Public Understanding of and Response to Terrorism in the Philippines" in a Regional Workshop on Public Understanding of and Responses  to Terrorism held at the Le Meridien Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 22-23 February 2010.  The paper stressed that the Philippine public does not have a shared understanding of terrorism and threat it poses to Philippine security.  There is also a state-civil society tension on the issue of terrorism in the Philippines.  Public opinion survey shows that the Philippine public is worried about terrorist attacks.  But public satisfaction on governmnent response against terrorism has also steadily declined since 9/11. The regional workshop was attended by international experts like Sidney Jones and Rizal Sukma.

The Eventual Demise of Local Communist Movement in the Philippines

After 41 years of fighting the government, the CPP/NPA/NDF (CNN) miserably failed to achieve its strategic goal of seizing political power. Inarguably, the future seems bleak for the movement, as its military capability and people’s support to its cause continue to decrease consistently each year. Today, it has lost its revolutionary character and has mutated into a criminal group. It is getting its strength and endurance, not from ideology but merely from extortion and propaganda. It is no longer a national security threat but a localized problem which the local government units can address with improved delivery of basic services and effective governance. This essay upholds the view that the CNN’s war is a lost cause. by By Brig. Gen. FRANCISCO N. CRUZ Jr. AFP, Commander, Civil Relations Service, AFP. Click here  or see Paper Series of this website to read more. (Photo credit here.)

The GRP-MILF Peace Process:  The Continuing Search for a Negotiated Solution to a Deep-Rooted Armed Conflicts

In cooperation with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue and the Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, the PIPVTR  organized a round table discussion on the above topic on 5 February 2010, 2:00-5:00 PM at the Aguinaldo Conference Room,  AFP Commissioned Officers Club (AFPCOC), Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.  Ambassador Rafael Seguis, Chairman of the Government Negotiating Panel for Talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, articulated the government position on the issue.  Dr. Cesar Pobre of the Office of Strategic and Special Studies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Atty. Nasser Marohomasalic, Convenor of the Philippine Council for Islam and Democracy and Chairman of the Muslim Legal Assistance Foundation  gave the academic expert and civil society perspectives, respectively,  on the said topic.  See Paper Series of this website for downloadable presentations. Upon request of Ambassador Seguis, his paper is not available for public access as his speech is guided by the principle of non-attribution.  

 PIPVTR Attends Forum on the Powers of the Presidency

As the country prepares to elect the next president,  the International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov) in partnership with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), with support from the National Endowment Fund, organized a public forum on the Powers of the Presidency: Preventing Misuse and Abuse. The forum was held on 30 January 2010, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, at Fuller Hall, Asian Institute of Management, Makati City.  PIPVTR attended the said forum. Click here for downloadable forum documents.

Peace Partners' Forum

Organized by the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Peace Process, PIPVTR attended the Project for Peace Forum on 27 January 2010 at the Astoria Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.  The forum aims to tap the vital role of all peace partners in the Philippines in finding just and lasting solution to multifaceted problems of armed conflicts in the country.  Click  here for more information.

Political Violence:  The Mirage of Philippine Elections

Organized by the Deparment of History and International Studies of the College and Arts of Sciences and the  International Studies Society of the University of the East, Prof. Rommel Banlaoi spoke on the above topic on 21 January 2010 at  the University of the East Campus Auditorium.  In his presentation, "Political Violence and Electoral Practice in the Philippines: Causes, Sources and Effects", Prof. Banlaoi discussed the historical context of electoral violence in the Philippines and described the trends of  election-related violence from 1946-1986 and 1986-2007.  With 1.1 million unlicensed guns and 132 private armies, Prof. Banlaoi raised concerns on the possibility of rising violence in the May 2010 elections.  As of January 2010 alone, at least 70 peope have been killed in an election-related violence.  If the Philippine law enforcement agencies fail to prevent private armed groups to use force during elections, this trend could rise, says Prof. Banlaoi, as we count the days towards May 2010 elections.  Atty. Harry Roque, a human rights lawyer and professor of law at the University of the Philippines, was also a speaker.  He talked about Maguindanao Massacre case and the forensic of impunity on the case. Photo credit here.

Philippines Faces Uphill Battle To Beat Up Terrorists

Despite millions of dollars spent on anti-terrorist training and the presence of US Special Forces, the Philippine military has made little impact on tackling the Abu Sayyaf, the country’s most deadly terrorist group. For more than 20 years the Abu Sayyaf has been behind a string of high-profile kidnappings and bombings and, despite losing a number of leaders, there is no shortage of people to take their places, analysts say.  The Abu Sayyaf is still a potent threat to the nation’s internal security,” Lt Gen Ben Dolorfino, the head of the armed forces’ Western Mindanao Command, said recently. Gen Dolorfino said that by targeting the Abu Sayyaf’s leadership this year the military can “effectively neutralise” the group. The military also said the number of members at the end of last year stood at 391 – down from the 1,500 or so during the 1990s.  Rommel Banlaoi, a terrorism expert, disputed the figures and questioned the military’s impact. by Karl Wilson.  Click  here  to read more. Photo credit here.

Book Launching:Philippine Security in the Age of Terror: National, Regional and Global Challenges in the Post-9/11 World

In cooperation with the CRC Press/Taylor and Francis Group and Fully Booked, Inc., PIPVTR held the book of launching of Philippine Security in the Age Terror:  National, Regional and Global Challenges in the Post-9/11 World on 14 January 2010, 2-4 PM at Fully Booked Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila.  Authored by Prof. Rommel Banlaoi, the book covers the many facets of Philippine security from terrorist threats, maritime security, bilateral security relations and multilateral cooperation, among others.  The book , which was also launched in Singapore in November 2009, is now available for sale at all Fully Booked branches and selected book stores in the Philippines.  For a copy of the book launching speech of the author, go to paper series of this website.

CAFGUs, CVOs and the Maguindanao Massacre

Since the aftermath of the Maguindanao Massacre on 23 November 2009, which, to date, caused the death of 57 individuals, one of the major issues that has resurfaced in the public debate is the role played by the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO),  To add value on the body of literature on the Maguindanao Massacre, the PIPVTR releases a study that provides an overview of CAFGU and CVO. See Paper Series of this website for a copy of this study. Photo credit here.

The Philippines: After the Maguindanao Massacre

The massacre on 23 November 2009 of 57 men and women by the private army of a warlord allied to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo shocked the country and the world. The immediate trigger for the killings was the decision of one man, Esmail “Toto” Mangudadatu, to run for governor of Maguindanao province, which for the last decade has been the fiefdom of the Ampatuan family. Political patronage by successive governments in Manila, most notably by the Arroyo administration, allowed the Ampatuans to amass great wealth and unchecked power, including the possession of a private arsenal with mortars, rocket launchers and state-of-the-art assault rifles. They controlled the police, the judiciary, and the local election commission. In the wake of the massacre, there are opportunities for new measures in the areas of justice, security and peace. The question is whether anyone in a position of power will seize them. Click here to view the full report by the International Crisis Group.

Massacre in Maguindanao: A Worsening Problem of Warlordism and Private Arms Violence in the Southern Philippines

Beyond the threat of terrorism, the Southern Philippines is faced with a much bigger challenge of warlordism and private arms violence.  The masscre in the Maguindanao province of Mindanao, which resulted in the death of at least 57 people to date, is just an indication of a worsening problem of warlordism and private arms violence in an area already torn by four centuries of armed conflicts. (See Paper Series of this website for more discussions).

    Source:  Google Image

The Maguindanao Massacre, The Bangsamoro Problem and The Peace Process

"The Maguindanao Massacre has been rightly explained as the tragic, though rather extreme, consequence of the Philippine central government’s or the Arroyo administration’s well-known deliberate cultivation and patronage of the Ampatuan political warlord clan and dynasty as its main instrument  for political control in Maguindanao province, if not also the rest of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).  Political control vis-à-vis political rivals or opponents of the Arroyo administration, and also vis-à-vis the main Moro rebel groups, notably the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) whose main provincial and ethnic base is Maguindanao.  Thus, the characterization by some analysts of the Ampatuan clan as “political entrepreneurs” who have become “Malacanang’s monster (or Frankenstein).”  This has been a symbiotic central-local axis of power, with mutual benefits also extending to wealth.  The analysts have situated such local warlordism, apparently becoming more voracious and brazen in its arrogance of power, in the context of a conversely ever-weakening Philippine state. " by Soliman Santos.  Click here to read more or see Paper Series of this website.

Renewed Tensions and Continuing Maritime Security Dilemma in the South China Sea:  Challenges in Maritime Security Cooperation Between China and Southeast Asia

Despite the adoption of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in 2002, tensions have continued to rise in the South China Sea, says Prof. Rommel C. Banlaoi in his paper presented in the International Conference on the Development of Maritime Cooperation Between China and Southeast Asia organized by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Jinan University, China on 21-22 December 2009.  The paper, whose earlier versions have been delivered in the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea, Singapore and Vietnam,  is available upon request.  This paper is part of the forthcoming book of the author entitled Tensions and Security Dilemmas in the South China Sea.

Scholars Met in Hanoi to Discuss South China Sea Disputes, PIPVTR Attended

International scholars met in Hanoi, Vietnam on 26-27 November 2009 to discuss territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The move is seen as an effort to bring the issue to the world stage, in the face of China's growing assertiveness. The workshop is due to emphasise co-operation between all sides, in order to maintain security and development. China and six other nations, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and the Philippines, claim sovereignty to areas in the South China Sea.  The area is believed to be rich in oil and other natural resources. Talks on a joint Code of Conduct to ease tension have stalled despite a declaration issued in 2002. Smaller claimants have been especially alarmed by recent developments such as the establishment of a Chinese submarine base on Hainan island and increasing Chinese naval activities. Beijing always maintains that territorial disputes in the South China Sea are bilateral issues that should be dealt by individual countries.  But the two-day meeting in Hanoi is sending out clear signals that smaller claimants may have embarked on a different approach. Vietnam now wants to put the issues on the international agenda with hopes to restart the negotiation of the Code of Conduct that would help to prevent further conflicts. (Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8380609.stm).  In this international workshop, Prof. Rommel Banlaoi presented a paper entitled "Renewed Tensions and Continuing Maritime Security Dilemma in the South China Sea."

Banlaoi delivering his paper in Hanoi on 26 November 2009  during the International Workshop on the South China Sea.

Civilian Protection During Counter-Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism Operations

"It is a grim reality that millions of civilians are caught up in armed conflicts worlwide", says Professor Rommel Banlaoi in his presentation at the Roundtable Discussion on Civilian Protection organized by the Institute of Autonomy and Governance (IAG)  in cooperation with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF) held at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City on 21 November 2009.  Banlaoi says that over 80% of current war casualties worldwide are civilians, mainly women and children.  It is an ugly truth, he says, that the Philippines is one of the conflict hotspots of the world with the Southern Philippines as the epicenter of the country's internal armed conflicts.  More than  90% of provinces in Mindanao are torn by armed conflicts and this calls for an urgent need to protect civilian. 

Banlaoi laments that though the principle of civilian protection is found in government policies, military rules of engagement and police and military education and training, there is a very huge gap between policy and practice.    The military and the police even have a poor track record in protecting civilians in counter-insurgeny and counter-terrorism operations and this is aggravated by the reported abuses of some members of Civilian Armed Forces Geographic Units (CAFGUs) and Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVOs). Members of some insurgent and terrorist groups also commit offfenses against civilians. While police and military sectors attempt to improve their capability to protect civilians in armed conflicts,   Banlaoi underscores that best method for civilian protection is conflict prevention and the most effective way to prevent conflict is good governane of the security sector. Click here for the proceedings of the roundtable. Photo credit here.

Roles of Civil Society Organizations in Preventing and Combating Terrorism in Southeast Asia

 Upon invitatation of Center for Global Counter Terrorism Cooperation and the Nahdatul Ulama, Prof. Rommel Banlaoi attended the International Workshop on Raising Awareness of the UN Global Counter Terrorism Strategy Among Civil Society Organizations in Southeast Asia held in Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia on 18-19 November 2009.  Banlaoi presented a paper entitled "Roles of Civil Society Organizations in Preventing and Combating Terrorism in Southeast Asia".  Click here to read the background paper.  Click here for the workshop agenda. Also see "War Against Terror in Southeast Asia," Jakarta Post, 18 November 2009.

Workshop on Raising Awareness of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Among Civil Society in Southeast Asia, 18-19 November 2009, The Sultan Hotel, Jakarta, Indonesia. For a copy of Banlaoi's remarks, click  here. 

Challenges of Deradicalization and Rehabilitation Efforts in the Philippines

As part of the soft approach to counter terrorism and other forms of political violence, some countries have ventured in deradicalization and rehabilitation programs.  The Philippines government recognizes the importance of these programs as the country continues to face terrorist threats emanating from the Abu Sayyaf Group, the New People's Army and rouge personalities of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro Nationa Liberation Front.  Yet, Prof Rommel Banlaoi laments that the Philippine government does not have yet a coherent and solid deradicalization and rehabilitation programs.  In his paper entitled "Challenges of De-radicalization and Rehabilitation Efforts in the Phippines:  The Case of Filipino Muslim Detainees Accused of Crimes Associated with Terrorism" presented at the international workshop on "Radicalization and Re-radicalization: Global Lessons Learned" organized by the Center of Excellence for National Security (CENS) of the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies on 2-3 November 2009 at the Marina Mandarin Hotel, Singapore, Prof Banlaoi urges the Philippine government to pay greater attention on disengagement programs to encourage individuals and groups to leave terrorism behind.  Click here for abstract of all papers presented during the workshop.

Intelligence and Counter Terrorism in Southeast Asia: Achievements and Limits of Information Exchange and Intelligence Sharing

With the invitation of the Institute for National Security Strategy (INSS) of the Republic of Korea,  some members of the Council for Asian Terrorism Research (CATR) presented papers in an International Conference on Global Security Threats and the Role of Intelligence held on 30 October 2009 in Seoul.  In this event, Prof. Rommel Banlaoi presented a paper entitled "Intelligence and Counter Terrorism in Southeast Asia: Achievements and Limits of Information Exchange and Intelligence Sharing." Copy of his presentation is available upon request.

Source: http://www.bipss.org.bd/.

Kalayaan Island Group and Baselines Controversies in the South China Sea:  Foreign Policy, Territorial Defense and Local Government Perspectives

To present the current security situation in the Kalayaan Island Group and to examine the foreign policy, defense and local government implications of the New Philippine Baselines Law (RA 9522), the Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies (CINSS) of the  PIPVTR in cooperation with Yuchengco Center of De La Salle University and the Center for Archipelagic Maritime Security held a Round Table Discussion, "Kalayaan Island Group and Baselines Controversies in the South China Sea:  Foreign Policy, Defense and Local Government Perspectives."   This was held on 23 October 2009, 2-5 PM  at the Aguinaldo Conference Room, Armed Forces of the Philippines Commissioned Officers Club, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.  Atty. Henry Bensurto, Secretary General of the Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs Commodore Orwen Cortez, Commander of the Naval Forces West of the Philippine Navy and Mayor Rosendo Mantes of the Kalayaan Municipality spoke on the topic.  Ambassador Alberto A. Encomienda, former Secretary General of the Commission on Maritime Affairs, and Dr. Jose Antonio Socrates, Special Adviser to the Mayor of Puerto Princesa on Geological Matters, served as Reactors during the RTD.  Former Undersecrtary of National Defense, Feliciano Gacis and Former Ambassador Jose Romero, Jr, currently President of the Philippine Council for Foreign Relations, participated in the RTD.

Around 75 participants attended the Round Table Discussion on the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) on 23 October 2009

Roles of CAFGUs and CVOs in Countering Terrorism and Insurgency in the Philippines: Peace, Security and Human Rights Concerns

In cooperation with the Centre for Humanitarin Dalogue and the  Institute of Bangsamoro Studies , the PIPVTR held a Roundtable/Focussed Group Discussion on the topic, "Roles of CAFGUs and CVOs in Countering Terrorism and Insurgency in the Philippines:  Peace, Security and Human Rights Concerns."  The event was held on 9 October 2009 at the Ricarte Conference Room, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)  Commissioned Officers Club, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.  Colonel Daniel Lucero of the AF and Police Senior Inspector Pelagui Samson speaking on behalf  of Police Director Andres Caro II of the Philippine National Police discussed the administration of CAFGUs and CVOs in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism, respectively.  Atty. Rowena Legaspi representing Commissioner Jose Manual Mamauag of  the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) talked about the demobilization of CAFGUs and their concomittant human rights concerns. See Paper Series for a copy of their presentations.

Around 55 participants attended the Round Table Discussions on the Role of CAFGUs and CVOs in Counter-Terrorism and  Counter-Insurgency in the Philippines, 9 October 2009.

Counter Terrorism and National Security in the Philippines

In commemoration of the 8th Anniversary of 9/11, PIPVTR organized a Round Table Discussion on "Counter Terrorism and National Security in the Philipppines" with Dr. Peter Chalk of RAND as resource speaker. This was held on 16September 2009, 2-5 PM at Ricarte Conference Room, AFP Commissioned Officers' Club, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.  Please access Paper Series to get the presentation of Dr. Chalk. For short bio of Peter Chalk, click here. For useful reference on the RTD topic, see Paper Series, "The Evolving Terrorist Threat to Southeast Asia:  A Net Assessment".

Lt.Gen Pedro Cabuay, Chief of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and Undersecretary Ricardo Blancaflor, Spokesperson of the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) , listened to Professor Rommel Banlaoi while awarding the Token of Appreciation to Dr. Peter Chalk , Senior Political Scientist of RAND Corporation.

Youths as Victims and Perpetrators of Terrorism: The Philippine Case

Prof Banlaoi explaining the role of youths as victims and perpetrators of terrorism in an International Conference on Youth and Terrorism organized by the Ministry of Information of Malaysia and the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter Terrorism held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 25-28 February 2009.  Click here for a copy of the complete paper.

Prospects of Terrorist Threats in the Philippines and Southeast Asia

8th Bi-Annual Conference of the Council for Asian Terrorism Research, Tokyo, Japan on 12 November 2008.

NEWLY PUBLISHED!

To request for a copy, please contact Yuchengco Center of De La Salle University.           Tel: (632) 5261253 or email yc@dlsu.edu.ph

PIPVTR IN THE NEWS

 NPAs Eye P5b from Poll Extortion, 5 March 2010.

Abu Sayyaf continues to pull numbers to resistance , 26 February 2010

Malaysia Capable Of Countering Terrorism , 24 February 2010

Filipino rebels rebuff autonomy proposal , 17 February 2010.

Philippines Gun Ban Kicks Off Amid Campaign Violence , 13 January 2010

Wave of terror rocks already lawless region, 16 December 2009

Massacre reveals rule by political thugs in Mindanao , 12 December 2009

Clan violence could undermine humanitarian work - aid officials, 30 November 2009.

Filipino Islamists survive US-backed onslaught, 11 November 2009 

 S'pore JI terrorist a 'consultant', 7 November 2009 

Spratlys Tensions Rise On Naval Build-Up, Facilities - Analyst , 3 November 2009

Noordin's death a blow to Philippine militants: rebels, analyst ... ‎              Sep 18, 2009‎

Muslim unrest in rp may spread to neighbors: analysts

News Analysis: Philippines faces serious threat from Jemaah ...                 25 July 2009

Little known of 'Singaporean' 4 April 2009

Identity of lankan peace workers' captors confirmed

Jemaah islamiyah: obstacle to peace in philippines and beyond

'Ransom from kidnappings may revive Abu Sayyaf' | ABS-CBN News .. .       11 December 2008

Mumbai-style attack unlikely in philippines

 Philippines: More suffering, displacement feared in Mindanao ...

Terror netted Abu Sayyaf P1.4B since '92 - 9 July 2008

Philippine Muslim Rebels Warn Cease-fire Could Falter 28 April 2008

MILF Blames Manila for Peace Crisis 28 April 2008 

 The Manila Times Internet Edition | OPINION > A warrior's tale 13 March 2008

Philippines Convicts 14 Abu Sayyaf Militants Linked to 2001 Kidnapping                  6 Dec 2007

Singapore article highlights Philippine counter-terrorism strategy in... 14 Feb 2007

In Philippines, watchful eye on converts 28 November 2005

RP STILL SEEN AS 'WEAKEST LINK' IN WAR ON TERRORS - …10 Sept 2005