4 senators seek inquiry into anti-terror treaty

Four senators sought an inquiry in aid of legislation yesterday into the contents and implications of an anti-terror agreement signed this week by the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Those who filed Senate Resolution No. 299 were Sen. Blas Ople, chairman of the foreign relations committee; Senators Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Rodolfo Biazon, chairman and vice chairman, respectively of the defense and security committee; and Majority Leader Loren Legarda.

Ople said the agreement imposes on the Philippine government certain obligations that will require congressional action under the Constitution.

Last Tuesday, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines signed an agreement for joint counter-terror operations that strengthens border controls and allows the countries to share airline passenger lists.

The agreement also entails intelligence sharing, joint military exercises, freezing of funds and other forms of security cooperation involving the armed forces and law enforcement agencies.

In their resolution, the senators said it was important that the executive and legislative branches fully coordinate their views and decisions on matters relating to the tripartite agreement.

"National policy abhors secret agreements and requires the exercise of prudence, responsibility, transparency and accountability in the exercise of foreign policy pertaining to the security of the Philippines," the resolution stated.

Ople said the call for an inquiry was expected since members of the Senate have raised concerns in several occasions over the possible entanglement of the Philippines in hostilities that could erupt in Southeast Asia.

The senator said the anti-terror agreement had revived the ghosts of Maphilindo, a concept aimed at unifying Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia – three nations whose people are of Malay descent.

President Arroyo, who witnessed the signing of the treaty during a recent visit to Kuala Lumpur, said the agreement is "a significant contribution to the global campaign to fight terrorism."

The Agreement on Information Exchange and Establishment of Communication Procedures establishes the framework by which the three nations would prevent the utilization by anyone of their land-air-sea territories for the purpose of committing or furthering such criminal activities as terrorism, money laundering, smuggling, piracy, hijacking, intrusion, illegal entry, drug trafficking, theft of marine resources, marine pollution and illicit trafficking of arms.

Thailand, another member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has expressed willingness to join the agreement.