MANILA, Philippines, April 26 (UPI) -- The head of the Philippine National Police called Wednesday for greater regional and international cooperation to fight terrorism and other crimes.
Arturo Lomibao made the call during an address and presentation at the 2006 Symposium on East Asia Security at the PNP's headquarters at Camp Crame, the Bulletin newspaper reported.
The Philippines has a long-running battle against communist guerrillas throughout the country, as well as Muslim separatists in its southern regions. In recent years, southern provinces have also become home for abu Sayyaf, an al-Qaida affiliated terror group, and elements of Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiyah, held responsible for the terror attacks on tourists sites on the island of Bali.
A counter-terror expert in Singapore said recently it was believed JI operatives in the Philippines were training 400-500 terrorists.
The symposium, which lasts three weeks, is sponsored by the U.S. military's Pacific Command, and is promote cooperation and help participants identify emerging regional security threats.
