Asian cops meet in Manila

Asian cops meet in Manila

PHILIPPINES: A top Interpol official appealed on Tuesday for more cooperation from senior Asian police officials in thwarting terror attacks, warning that the deadly Madrid bombings can happen anywhere in the world.

Addressing a two-day regional security conference in Manila, Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble encouraged 181 member countries to take part in joint anti-terror projects, noting more nations were taking advantage of several key Interpol projects meant to deter attacks.

"You cannot expect the police to secure every citizen, every building in every location from every possible terrorist attacks," he said. "The only way is to identify terror groups and dismantle them."

Noble said 90 out of 181 Interpol member countries were exchanging information on terrorist activities through the international police organization's two-year-old I-24/7 global police communications system and database. It has information on fugitives, stolen travel documents and vehicles, fingerprints and child abuse cases.

He said other projects under way include a database on people who have trained in suspected terrorist camps and a security alert system called the Orange Notice, where each member country can alert another on potential criminal or terror threats. -- AP