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.