RP to establish antiterrorist coalition in SE Asia<\/p>\n
MANILA (AFP): The Philippines on Tuesday said it would
\ninitiate the creation of a regional anti-terrorist coalition to
\nsupport a looming United States retaliation against attackers
\nthat partly destroyed the Pentagon and reduced the World Trade
\nCenter towers into rubble last week.<\/p>\n
President Gloria Arroyo met with congressional leaders and her
\ncabinet to come up with a specific response to the U.S. global
\nwar on terrorism.<\/p>\n
Officials agreed that Manila's help was both a moral
\nimperative and a diplomatic obligation, stressing that snubbing
\nthe campaign would have negative consequences.<\/p>\n
Arroyo, in the meeting, backed a proposal by House Speaker
\nJose de Venecia to \"immediately initiate the organization of a
\nregional anti-terrorist coalition consisting of the Philippines,
\nMalaysia and Indonesia,\" presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The three Southeast Asian neighbors are themselves facing
\ntheir own separatist problems.<\/p>\n
Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad warning earlier this month
\nwarned that a Malaysian-based group of Islamic radicals had
\nforged links with Philippine and Indonesian separatists waging a
\nrebellion with their governments.<\/p>\n
No other details were given on the proposed regional anti-
\nterrorist front, but Tiglao said the Philippines was ready to
\nallow Washington to use its ports in its looming offensive.<\/p>\n
But he stressed that using Philippine ports as transit points
\nand staging groups for U.S. troops was unlikely at this stage.<\/p>\n
\"In the remote possibility though that these would be
\nrequired, the NSC (National Security Council) consensus was that
\nthe Philippines would allow the use of its ports as transit
\npoints and staging grounds,\" Tiglao said.<\/p>\n
Approval<\/p>\n
But congressional approval would be necessary before Filipino
\nsoldiers are sent to help the campaign, he said.<\/p>\n
Senate minority floor leader Aquilino Pimentel told the
\nmeeting that the terrorist attacks in the U.S. were an affront to
\nall humanity and as such the Philippines \"is obliged to join the
\nfight,\" Tiglao said.<\/p>\n
It was also noted in the meeting that citizens from at least
\n35 countries including the Philippines had perished or were hurt
\nin the attacks, making it one of the worst terrorist hits in
\nhistory.<\/p>\n
Earlier Tuesday, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said
\nManila will offer two former U.S. bases north of Manila -- Subic
\nnaval base and Clark air base -- \"for refueling, transshipment,
\ntransiting\" of any forces taking part in operations against the
\nterrorists.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot just be neutral on this. We have to participate,\"
\nhe added.<\/p>\n
Officials said joining the anti-terror effort would help
\nManila's own war to crush Abu Sayyaf Moro guerrillas who are
\nstill holding 18 American and Filipino hostages and are believed
\nto have ties with the other militants who allegedly masterminded
\nthe U.S. attacks.<\/p>\n
\"Maybe if we help this international coalition, if (Saudi
\nmilitant and prime U.S. suspect Osama) bin Laden is really
\nhelping the Abu Sayyaf group, then if we join (the coalition),
\nthis will strengthen our fight against the Abu Sayyaf,\" Golez
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, Arroyo told her countrymen that they should be
\nprepared to \"pay the price\" to join the campaign against the
\nmasterminds of the U.S. attacks that left thousands dead.<\/p>\n
Leftist groups and opposition legislators however have
\ncriticized her stand, saying it would open the country to
\nretaliation.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rp-to-establish-antiterrorist-coalition-in-se-asia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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