19/10/2013 00:00
TW
0
Staff reporter

PALMA
THE central Government's representative to the Balearics, Ramón Socías, took advantage of the Guardia Civil Patron Day, which marked Spain´s national day yesterday, by asking for “unity” in the fight against terrorism.

He emphasised that “disputes between politicians” only serve to give “more strength” to the terrorists, who “will only be beaten by firmness and the law”.

During his speech to mark the Virgen del Pilar Fiesta, celebrated in Palma airport's exhibition centre, Socías reiterated that all politicians must work together with the “strength of democracy” to fight against the “long-standing” threat of domestic terrorism by ETA, and international Islamic terrorism.

He said that the pain that has been suffered by victims of terrorism and their families should be the “incentive that moves us to work with more strength in order to end terrorism once and for all.” Socías also stressed that the Balearics will not, “in any way whatsoever”, be turned into a place of entry for drugs or illegal immigration.
He went on to applaud the daily work of the Guardia Civil in “guaranteeing the safety and freedom” of every Balearic citizen, saying he felt proud of the men and women who undertake their responsibilities with “rectitude, honesty and professional dignity”.

Furthering this sentiment, Socías declared that the Guardia Civil is a “beloved and valued” institution for the citizens and politicians of the Balearics, and revealed that every mayor on the islands is seeking to add more agents to their local branch of the service. The delegate stressed that the central Government is “conscious” of a need for more Guardia Civil and, for that reason, stated that during this period of office the personnel of the Guardia Civil will be increased by nearly 19'000 new posts, taking the total figure of employees to above 80'000.

Socías also congratulated the service for its “very good results” in the fight against drug-dealing, with the “important” capture of several smuggled loads and the breaking up of a number of organised criminal gangs this year.