Indonesia, Philippines link arms to fight terrorism

Source:Manila times

Manila, PHILIPPINES : Philippines President Gloria Arroyo (L), Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto Romulo (C) and Ali Abdussalam Treki, President of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (R) listen to speeches during the opening of the Special Non-Alligned Movement Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development (SNAMM) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Manila on March 17, 2010. The NAM meeting this week is focused on inter-faith dialogue and is expected to culminate in the adoption of a Manila declaration aimed at strengthening government and civil society cooperation, including faith-based organisations, officials said. AFP


Indonesia continues to harness its tough stance against terrorists and to work with the Philippines on counter-terrorism efforts, a top foreign ministry official said Thursday.
Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. R.M. Marty Natalegawa stressed that while Jakarta considered its elimination of Al-Qaeda-linked terrorist Dulmatin as a major gain in its anti-terrorism efforts, authorities cannot let their guards down.

“When someone as heinous and dangerous as him is rendered ineffective, we consider it a success. But we can’t be complacent. We are never complacent in going after the terrorist network,” Natalegawa told reporters on the sidelines of the Special NAM Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development held in Manila.

Dulmatin, an Indonesian believed to have masterminded the 2002 Bali bombings and been involved in terrorist activities in the Philippines because of his ties with the Philippine-based Abu Sayyaf Group, was taken down by Indonesia’s special counter-terrorism unit Detachment 88 on March 9.

Natalegawa said the Philippines and Indonesia have been sharing intelligence information in support of both countries’ antiterrorism efforts.

He said Indonesia is also pushing for cooperation on border security and implementing soft border management in their country for the security of the people moving in and out of the country.

The Indonesian diplomat also disclosed that Jakarta is sympathetically considering Manila’s request for Indonesian participation in the International Monitoring Team, which is tasked to monitor the humanitarian, rehabilitation and development aspects of the peace process and the implementation of the newly signed agreement on civilian protection.
Llanesca T. Panti

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