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