MANILA, Philippines — Senator Manny Pacquiao has filed a measure which seeks to establish the Department of Homeland Security to protect the country’s borders against terrorists and other transnational crimes such as trafficking of illegal drugs.

According to the copy of the bill released to the media on Wednesday, the government agency is envisioned to “prevent terrorist attacks within, and the occurrence of transnational crimes across the borders of, the Republic of the Philippines, especially the cross-border trafficking of illegal drugs.”

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In the bill’s explanatory note, Pacquiao underscored the effects of terrorism and other transnational crimes to the country’s infrastructure, as well as how such crimes result in loss of lives that destroy families.

Pacquiao also stressed that transnational crimes undermine the government’s efforts to develop the economy and maintain peace and order in the country.

“International terrorists and the perpetrators of transnational crimes and especially of the cross-border trafficking of prohibited drugs, reportedly look for countries where border authorities are not well-supported or strengthened by their governments to stop them,” Pacquiao said.

Under the Department of Homeland Security, there will be an Office for Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection and the Office of Border Security. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

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