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Thursday, November 30, 2006
RP, Indonesian police sign accord to shore up fight v. crime, terrorism (5:31 p.m.)
MANILA -- Philippine and Indonesian police have signed an accord to increase cooperation against transnational crime and terrorism, officials said Thursday.
The agreement, signed Tuesday in southern General Santos City, covers intelligence gathering and sharing, investigations, arrests, the hand-over of suspects, and pursuing criminals across the border, said Philippine National Police Deputy Director General Antonio Billones.
The two countries, which share a common sea border and are dealing with attacks by Indonesian-based extremist group, Jemaah Islamiyah, also will help each other train officers, he said.
In addition to battling terrorism, Billones said the increased cooperation was expected to improve both countries' fight against smuggling, fraud and money laundering.
Philippine security forces have been pursuing two Jemaah Islamiyah operatives suspected in the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people.
The two -- Umar Patek and Dulmatin -- have fled to the country's south, where they linked up with the Muslim extremist Abu Sayyaf group, notorious for bombings, kidnappings and hostage takings.
A US-backed military offensive launched in August has failed to capture them. (AP) |
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