Australia proposes terror pact with RP

Australia wants to sign a bilateral agreement on anti-terrorism with the Philippines, specially to combat the spread of the Islamic militant group Jemaah Islamiya in Southeast Asia.

Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Lauro Baja Jr. said Canberra deems it necessary to have close cooperation with Southeast Asian nations in fighting terrorists and bringing them to justice.

Baja said Thailand and Indonesia have an anti-terror pact with Australia, which covers defense cooperation in going after terrorist groups.

He said Australia has asked the United Nations to declare the Indonesian-based Jemaah Islamiyah a terrorist organization.

Baja said the Philippines supports the Australian effort to have Jemaah Islamiyah included in the UN list of terrorist organizations.

The Australian government has tagged the Islamic militant group to be behind last week’s massive bombing of two night clubs in Bali, Indonesia that killed 190 people, mostly Australians.

Baja also said Filipinos must stop being sensitive to negative travel advisories from foreign governments because of the terrorist threat to sow chaos.

"The situation is different now," he said. "It is natural for governments to advise their citizens. It is their obligation, especially at this time when the bomb attacks in Southeast Asia seem to be connected and perpetrated by the same group," he said.

"They are aware of the situation in Zamboanga and Manila and the assault in Bali is expected to have a spillover effect on the other countries in the region. That’s why these foreign governments are extremely cautious now."

Instead of calling the attention of foreign governments on travel advisories, the best thing to do is cooperate and focus on the fight against terrorists, Baja added.

Australia and Britain have warned their citizens to be careful in traveling to the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries because of terrorist threats against Westerners and Western interests.

In its advisory, Australia cautioned against increased risk of terrorism in Brunei, Burma, East Timor, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

However, the danger levels in these countries vary from place to place, the advisory added. — Aurea Calica