Asean to establish terrorism database

CEBU — Southeast Asian nations are working to establish a terrorism database that would include a list of the region’s most-wanted terror suspects.

The project would be one of the first products of a landmark anti-terrorism accord that was signed by leaders of the 10-member ASEAN last weekend, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said.

Police agencies have begun discussions on such a database and terror list and the issue will again be taken up in a meeting in Jakarta in March of six ASEAN members facing terrorism problems along with Australia, he said.

"There is a need to have an ASEAN-wide database we can easily have access to," he said.

The database and list of terror suspects would help Southeast Asian countries identify and capture militants moving across the region, for example, Indonesian militants who travel to Mindanao.

"This is very much needed at the operational level," he said. He stressed it was difficult to say when it could be set up.

The newly signed ASEAN Convention on Counterterrorism calls for the establishment of a terrorism database, among other steps to combat terrorism.

The legally binding accord makes it easier to prosecute and extradite terror suspects and block their movement in a vast region that has been hit by deadly attacks.

Member countries ASEAN will soon be imposing stricter border controls to prevent the movements of suspected members of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and other terror groups in the region, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said yesterday.

He issued the statement after local authorities in Mindanao expressed alarm over the unabated influx of illegal immigrants coming from Indonesia and other countries. Local officials said some illegal entrants could be JI members taking advantage of the region’s porous borders.

"After the signing of the convention, the next step would be to come up with new ways to control the movements of illegal immigrants or individuals within the region," Gonzales said.

He said ASEAN governments would also improve their capabilities and efforts in detecting forged identity papers and travel documents.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo called on Congress anew to pass the anti-terrorism bill and help the government effectively implement the international agreements, including the newly signed ASEAN convention.

"What it provides for is a legal framework, just like in the UN Security Council resolution," she said. "But at the end of the day, to comply with the legal framework, we should pass our own anti-terror bill." — With AP, Paolo Romero, Jess Diaz