Manila, KL to intensify cooperation to counter Abu Sayyaf rebel threat

Manila, KL to intensify cooperation to counter Abu Sayyaf rebel threat

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Malaysia and the Philippines will
intensify defense cooperation to thwart threats posed by Abu
Sayyaf guerrillas and outlaws, the defense chiefs of both
countries said on Friday.

Malaysian Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak met Philippine
counterpart Angelo Reyes to discuss security in the sea between
the two countries, an issue that gained prominence after recent
hostage seizures at beach resorts by Abu Sayyaf rebels.

"We want to deliver a very strong message that the Philippine
government and the Malaysian government are one in denouncing
terrorism ...and we will cooperate in this regard," Reyes told a
news conference.

A joint statement said the two Southeast Asian countries would
intensify information exchanges on problems on their sea border.
The armies of both countries are also holding annual military
exercises on planning and waging joint operations, a Philippine
military statement said.

The exercises in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, are "deemed
appropriate and timely in the light of the recent spate of
terrorist atrocities in the southern Philippines and encroachment
incidents," the statement said.

Malaysia has strengthened its border security since the Abu
Sayyaf crossed over twice last year and snatched scores of
hostages, including 10 European vacationers, from two Malaysian
island resorts.

All but one hostage, a Filipino resort worker, were released,
reportedly in exchange for huge ransoms paid by Libya.

During their meeting, Malaysian defense officials said
security has been considerably strengthened to prevent the entry
of Abu Sayyaf guerrillas as well as pirates, smugglers and
illegal blast fishermen. At any given time, about 700 Malaysian
soldiers and police are on guard, a Philippine military official
said.

"We've got enough assets in the islands to deter any
unauthorized entry," said Malaysian Ambassador Manzoor Hussein
Arshad.

A Malaysian regional army commander, Azumi Pahlawan, said
unidentified men aboard five boats tried to intrude from the
southern Philippines about two weeks ago but backed off when they
saw Malaysian security forces.

He said they were not able to determine if the would-be
intruders were Abu Sayyaf members.

In a repeat of last year's hostage crisis, Abu Sayyaf rebels
abducted about 20 people from an island resort in the western
Philippines on May 27, including three Americans, one of whom is
believed to have been killed by the rebels.

As the rebels fled with their captives aboard speedboats, the
Philippine military alerted Malaysia because of fears the
kidnappers may have been headed for the jungles of Borneo, which
is separated from the southern Philippines by a narrow strait.

The rebels, however, proceeded to Basilan island, in the
southern Philippines, where a massive military search and rescue
continues.

A rebel spokesman, Abu Sabaya, has demanded that two
Malaysians, who helped negotiate last year's hostage saga, be
allowed to mediate this time, too.

Najib said the Malaysian government does not want the two men
-- merchant Yusof Hamdan and former senator Sairin Karno -- to
play any role.

"We do not and will not interfere in the internal affairs of
another ASEAN country. We're very adamant about that," Najib
said. "As a government, we don't negotiate with terrorists."

Hamdan and Karno have refused to mediate in the hostage
crisis.

Malaysia and the Philippines are founding members of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, a 10-nation
regional trading bloc.