‘Insurgencies hampering RP fight vs terror’

Separatists in Mindanao and other rebels are impeding the government’s campaign against terrorists, the commander of US forces in the Pacific said yesterday.

Adm. William Fallon, the new US Pacific Command (Pacom)chief, made the remark after a meeting with Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City the other day.

"I think the government here has a big challenge because there are several groups, several insurgencies that are ongoing," he said. "And I think this is a big challenge for your country."

Fallon said he is ready to offer "any assistance I can" to the government in his capacity as commander of the biggest US military force in the region.

"I believe there are ties, common traits between many of these terror groups" he said, even though "they come from different places and different ideologies that drive them."

However, Fallon refused to comment on the country’s performance so far in fighting terrorism, when asked by reporters of his assessment.

"I am here in a learning mode and I had a great conversation with Minister Cruz, as we discussed ways of structuring and how organizations might be organized to deal with these challenges," he said.

"So I am not going to grade anybody’s homework and hope you are not going to grade mine," he added in jest.

On the other hand, Fallon said his talk on anti-terrorism with Cruz was "highly informative," and that he was able to "fully understand the overall picture" in the country.

"I have a better understanding of the situation here and I’ll be looking forward to helping, and to do anything we can to achieve some common goals," he said.

Fallon took over as Pacom chief from Adm. Thomas Fargo last month.