The place is strategically important, the local governments want it, and this is important to our national security. Anti-terrorism exercises will improve the capability of our soldiers to gain ground.

We are determined to cut down the entire body of terrorism in the country, and the Sulu connection is vital to this objective. There is a nexus in Central Mindanao connected with another hub in Sulu, both interlinked with militant cells in several urban centers. We have to take down all nodes and cells to contain the threat. We must not take this effort in isolation.