Violence should concern ASEAN<\/p>\n
A round of bombings in Indonesia on Christmas Eve was followed
\nby a similarly terrifying series of bomb blasts in Manila the day
\nbefore New Year's Eve.<\/p>\n
There is no evidence the two series of attacks were linked.
\nIndeed, the attacks left Filipinos and many Indonesians truly
\nterrorized because they were mysterious. No group has claimed
\ninvolvement in either round of bombings.<\/p>\n
The terrorists killed more than 40 people in the two
\ncountries. The Indonesian bombs were set to go off outside
\nChristian churches as worshipers gathered for traditional
\nChristmas Eve services. In the Philippines, bombs were set
\nseemingly randomly around Metro Manila, and the victims were
\nequally random.<\/p>\n
Under arrest in both cases are Muslim separatists who learned
\nterrorist techniques in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
Investigation will reveal, one hopes, how deeply the
\nseparatist groups in each country are involved in such violence,
\nif at all.<\/p>\n
They deny responsibility and condemn the bombings. But
\nofficials are curious whether the secessionist Moro Islamic
\nLiberation Front of the Philippines has terror links to groups in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
The criminals and terrorists -- and drug traffickers -- who
\nuse the region's borders must be stopped. There is no
\ndisagreement over the need to slow and end cross-border crime. It
\nis clear to everyone that victory can only come from better
\ninternational co-operation.<\/p>\n
-- The Bangkok Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/violence-should-concern-asean-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }