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.