Violence should concern ASEAN

Violence should concern ASEAN

A round of bombings in Indonesia on Christmas Eve was followed
by a similarly terrifying series of bomb blasts in Manila the day
before New Year's Eve.

There is no evidence the two series of attacks were linked.
Indeed, the attacks left Filipinos and many Indonesians truly
terrorized because they were mysterious. No group has claimed
involvement in either round of bombings.

The terrorists killed more than 40 people in the two
countries. The Indonesian bombs were set to go off outside
Christian churches as worshipers gathered for traditional
Christmas Eve services. In the Philippines, bombs were set
seemingly randomly around Metro Manila, and the victims were
equally random.

Under arrest in both cases are Muslim separatists who learned
terrorist techniques in Afghanistan.

Investigation will reveal, one hopes, how deeply the
separatist groups in each country are involved in such violence,
if at all.

They deny responsibility and condemn the bombings. But
officials are curious whether the secessionist Moro Islamic
Liberation Front of the Philippines has terror links to groups in
Indonesia.

The criminals and terrorists -- and drug traffickers -- who
use the region's borders must be stopped. There is no
disagreement over the need to slow and end cross-border crime. It
is clear to everyone that victory can only come from better
international co-operation.

-- The Bangkok Post