RP to establish antiterrorist coalition in SE Asia

RP to establish antiterrorist coalition in SE Asia

MANILA (AFP): The Philippines on Tuesday said it would
initiate the creation of a regional anti-terrorist coalition to
support a looming United States retaliation against attackers
that partly destroyed the Pentagon and reduced the World Trade
Center towers into rubble last week.

President Gloria Arroyo met with congressional leaders and her
cabinet to come up with a specific response to the U.S. global
war on terrorism.

Officials agreed that Manila's help was both a moral
imperative and a diplomatic obligation, stressing that snubbing
the campaign would have negative consequences.

Arroyo, in the meeting, backed a proposal by House Speaker
Jose de Venecia to "immediately initiate the organization of a
regional anti-terrorist coalition consisting of the Philippines,
Malaysia and Indonesia," presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao
said.

The three Southeast Asian neighbors are themselves facing
their own separatist problems.

Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad warning earlier this month
warned that a Malaysian-based group of Islamic radicals had
forged links with Philippine and Indonesian separatists waging a
rebellion with their governments.

No other details were given on the proposed regional anti-
terrorist front, but Tiglao said the Philippines was ready to
allow Washington to use its ports in its looming offensive.

But he stressed that using Philippine ports as transit points
and staging groups for U.S. troops was unlikely at this stage.

"In the remote possibility though that these would be
required, the NSC (National Security Council) consensus was that
the Philippines would allow the use of its ports as transit
points and staging grounds," Tiglao said.

Approval

But congressional approval would be necessary before Filipino
soldiers are sent to help the campaign, he said.

Senate minority floor leader Aquilino Pimentel told the
meeting that the terrorist attacks in the U.S. were an affront to
all humanity and as such the Philippines "is obliged to join the
fight," Tiglao said.

It was also noted in the meeting that citizens from at least
35 countries including the Philippines had perished or were hurt
in the attacks, making it one of the worst terrorist hits in
history.

Earlier Tuesday, National Security Adviser Roilo Golez said
Manila will offer two former U.S. bases north of Manila -- Subic
naval base and Clark air base -- "for refueling, transshipment,
transiting" of any forces taking part in operations against the
terrorists.

"We cannot just be neutral on this. We have to participate,"
he added.

Officials said joining the anti-terror effort would help
Manila's own war to crush Abu Sayyaf Moro guerrillas who are
still holding 18 American and Filipino hostages and are believed
to have ties with the other militants who allegedly masterminded
the U.S. attacks.

"Maybe if we help this international coalition, if (Saudi
militant and prime U.S. suspect Osama) bin Laden is really
helping the Abu Sayyaf group, then if we join (the coalition),
this will strengthen our fight against the Abu Sayyaf," Golez
said.

On Wednesday, Arroyo told her countrymen that they should be
prepared to "pay the price" to join the campaign against the
masterminds of the U.S. attacks that left thousands dead.

Leftist groups and opposition legislators however have
criticized her stand, saying it would open the country to
retaliation.