RP, Japan reaffirm alliance in global fight vs terrorism

President Arroyo reaffirmed yesterday the commitment of the Philippines in its alliance with the US and Japan in the global coalition fighting terrorism.

Mrs. Arroyo, with US Embassy chargé d’affaires Joseph Mussomeli and his Japanese counterpart Akio Egawa, signified this commitment at the commemoration of the 62nd anniversary of the Fall of Bataan held at the Dambana ng Kagitingan at Mt. Samat.

The President was joined by the US and Japan embassy officials in the ceremonial wreath-laying of the fallen Filipino, American and Japanese soldiers during World War II.

Mussomeli expressed the US government’s appreciation of the historic alliance of the Philippines and the US as the foundation of the present-day battle against terrorism.

"As we look around us, we see friendship, peace and prosperity that our forefathers never thought was imaginable," Mussomeli said. "Three nations no longer enemies but closest friends, standing together as sovereign nations and the strongest of allies.

"And because of our memories of Bataan, we do not walk away from our shared commitment to people everywhere to seek freedom and justice," he said.

In behalf of the Japanese government, Egawa expressed Japan’s commitment to continue their contribution to the "non-combatant" humanitarian forces they sent to help the US-led coalition in the post-war reconstruction of Iraq.

"That our countries have dispatched our respective troops to Iraq to help in the ongoing postwar rehabilitation there is indeed a clear demonstration of how close our partnership has become," Egawa said.

"Our three countries are one in belief that it would be necessary for all countries to broaden cooperation beyond their own borders and interests for us to surpass the tremendous challenges of our time," he said.

Bataan Day, traditionally celebrated on April 9, was moved two days ahead as it coincides with the observance of Good Friday this year.

Meanwhile, negotiations are underway between the US and the Philippine governments on the deployment of anti-terror troops to the Straits of Malacca, according to Lt. Col. Ricardo Blancaflor, designated spokesman for the newly formed Anti-Terrorism Task Force and concurrent defense assistant secretary for public and legislative affairs.

But Blancaflor admitted there are no signs that the Philippine government is amenable to the recommendation of the US to deploy Filipino anti-terror troops.

The Philippines was the first country in Southeast Asia to openly express support to the US-led invasion of Iraq last year, drawing criticisms from various sectors on Mrs. Arroyo’s close ties with the US.

"Malacca Straits is geographically far from the Philippines. It is part of international waters but consultations are going on," the military official told The STAR, but did not elaborate.

Admiral Thomas Fargo, commander of the US-Pacific Command, earlier announced plans to line up US forces along the narrow straits straddling Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia as part of Washington’s new counter-terrorism initiative in Southeast Asia.

Fargo issued the statement after Malaysia rejected US help to flush out terrorists in the Malacca Straits. — Marichu Villanueva