Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Manila (Fides Service) - To render the area of South East Asia more secure, combat terrorism and piracy, co-operate in intelligence and defence an agreement was signed in Canberra by Australian prime minister John Howard and the president of the Philippines Gloria Arroyo. The agreement includes joint anti-terrorism operations and greater Australian military aid to Manila.
Besides military training, Australia will supply 26 high-speed motor boats to operate around the travailed island Mindanao where there is an Islamic separatist movement and the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. President Arroyo praised Australia's efforts to combat terrorism: “We are making progress to eradicate this scourge with the help of our friends like Australia”, she said. “This agreement will help modernise our armed forces and make them more professional; it will also establish inter-connection among our forces”, she added.
To fight the Abu Sayyaf group an estimated 400 men in the bush in Jolo and another local group Jemaah Islamiyah thought to be hiding in the mountains, the army has deployed 8,000 soldiers. In the area there are also US troops which offer military training and advice.
Fighting between the army and Islamic separatists has forced about 42,000 people to leave their homes. The Arroyo administration appears is determined to eradicate the terrorist presence from the southern islands with a massive military intervention and a set of reforms to develop the area. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 5/6/2007 righe 26 parole 267)
