UNDERSTANDING TERRORISM

by PCSupt AUGUSTO P ANGCANAN, Jr PNP

TAGALOG VERSION
It is very important for all of us, including the
public, to have a clear understanding of what
terrorism is and how it works. A correct
appreciation of the problem will greatly help
us deal with the situation more effectively.
Following are some valuable lessons learned
from past events:

At the outset, we must consider that those

faceless cowards can choose the time, place
and even the manner they would carry out
an attack. Hence, all preventive measures
can only somehow reduce the threat but can
not guarantee total safety.

With said reality, we must be resilient; that

is, capable and always ready to surge back
and restore our lives to normal right after an
incident. Never should we allow terrorists to Terrorists usually employ the
dictate on us. weapon of fear in a complicated
sort of way. By sowing fear, they
In examining the nature of terrorism, we are can paralyze the will, befuddle the
dealing with a multi-dimensional problem. mind and exhaust the strength of
Discussion is centered mostly on the criminal an adversary.
justice aspects: prevention and punishment.
The overriding questions are not
technological or legal; they are philosophical
and political.
Political considerations form the framework in which the activity of those
engaged in terrorism is interpreted. We usually hear people say ? A man's
terrorist is another man's

freedom fighter?. Simply stated, terrorism can be held to revolve around one's
political point of view and this is the major impediment standing in the path of a
universally acceptable definition of the term.

However, regardless of the diversity in our political, religious or social outlook,

we should be one in looking at the more important issue. Motivation
notwithstanding, the rhetoric of terrorists should not be allowed to conceal their
true identity. They are first and foremost, criminals. No doctrine or belief could
justify killing helpless, innocent people.

Because of the enormous damage they inflict, there is a misconception that

terrorists are big in number and so strong. To the contrary, terrorism is the
strategy of the weak, a weapon of those small band of rascals who are prepared
to use violence but who believe that they would lose any contest by sheer
strength.
Terrorism is means to an end, not an end in itself. Let alone, terrorism can
accomplish nothing in terms of political goals; it can only aim at obtaining a
response that will achieve those goals for it. Said another way, terrorist violence
is aimed not so much on the target upon which the initial act is committed but to
much wider audience who will view and interpret the act.

The success of terrorism is due in large part to the miscomprehension of the

strategy by its opponents; which is, failure to focus on the critical issue of how to
respond properly to provocations and threats.

Brutality and repression are induced responses that will alienate the government
from the masses, thus set the stage for revolution. In dealing with the problem
of terrorism, paramount is the rule of law and our respect for human rights.

To be able to correctly interpret events, we must clearly distinguish terrorism

from an ordinary criminal act. Not all violent incidents, however terrifying, can
be categorized as works of terrorists. The political and social objectives which
drive terrorists to act give terrorism a character of its own.

Likewise, it is different from regular, as well as guerilla war because in terrorism,

innocents are killed deliberately. Its very wickedness makes it a vulnerable
strategy.

One possible purpose of a terrorist act is to create strife among the various
sectors in a society. Some radicals pull religious verses out of context to suit
their objective. But murder has no home in any religious faith. All of the world's
major religions preach the values of love, peace, charity and respect for the
sanctity of life. Hence, we must not fall into the enemy trap by institutionally
faulting religion or its members for the upheaval.

Publicity tends to exaggerate the threats that terrorism pose to society. If we fail
to understand its nature, possibility is high that we will make our fears very
much greater than the actual threat.

Most of the victims of terrorist violence are innocent bystanders. Obviously then,
terrorists are enemies of the humanity thereby making public support an
essential factor in our war against terror.

(Note: Join the war against terror. Please reproduce this hand-out and give to
friends and neighbors)