GMA seeks greater Asean cooperation vs terror

KUALA LUMPUR (via PLDT) — President Arroyo called on leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) yesterday to engage in broader cooperation with other countries and regional groupings to fight terrorism and expand their community for trade and investment.

At the plenary session of the ASEAN leaders’ summit here, the President also reiterated the need for joint border patrols across common seas to curb terrorism and other transnational crimes.

"Our most vital counter-terror campaign should now press beyond the operational and legal realm," the President said.

"We need a broader front of regional security involving the ASEAN, the United States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization on counter-terrorism cooperation. I seek your support on this score," Mrs. Arroyo said.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization is composed of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The President’s call was heeded as Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei later agreed to regularly hold joint patrols in border areas frequently hit by attacks from kidnappers and Islamic militants.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he and leaders of the three other countries agreed to ensure the area becomes one "of peace and stability."

"If we want to see economic development, and we hope to see investments coming to the area of course, there must be some assurance, guarantee of security," Badawi told reporters.

The four countries are concerned that the instability in the areas centered near the Sulawesi Sea is scaring away investors, hampering economic growth.

According to Manila Economic Development Council Chairman Jesus Dureza, the President proposed "that the joint patrols in the neighborhood" be conducted regularly and not be limited to military exercises, as is being done now.

It will be a "continuing security patrol in the sub-region," Dureza quoted Mrs. Arroyo as saying.

The President also noted maritime security is imperative to stopping piracy and armed robbery as well as arms smuggling and human trafficking along the vulnerable sea lanes of the region.

"Piracy and armed robbery against ships and persons and the potential for terrorist attacks on vulnerable sea lanes threaten the growth of the region and disrupt the stability of commerce," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"Joint border patrols must be the norm across our common seas," she said.

The President made the same proposal during Sunday’s Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area summit. — With AP