The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Saturday vowed to use all possible means to protect the country’s porous borders against illegal activities and ensure the safety of Filipinos.
“Well, you know, we are one with the congressmen and the senators when we try to look for possible ways to guard our porous borders,” DOJ Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Mico Clavano said in a forum in Quezon City.
Having 7,107 islands and one of the longest coastlines in the world as an archipelago, the Philippines presents a security challenge, Clavano said. However, it can still be addressed with the help of various legal components and initiatives, he added.
“So, it is quite challenging, but it’s not a challenge that cannot be overcome with with help of legislation, with the help of proper law enforcement, with the help of all these other mechanisms and programs that we can instill. So, the Secretary of Justice has also categorized this as a big challenge, but not something that is insurmountable,” Clavano said.
He also cited the importance of a whole-of-government approach in safeguarding the country’s coastline, noting the DOJ’s collaboration with congressmen and senators in finding a solution to the problem.
“[W]e have to find a way kasi hindi naman pupuwede na ‘yung mga kababayan po natin ay they feel unsafe. They don’t feel secure in their own country kasi puwede pala labas-pasok ‘yung mga tao. [They are] not going through the immigration trial,” Clavano said.
“So, it is a challenge, it’s a big challenge, but it’s something that the government has to do for the Filipino people,” he added.
PND
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