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PHL, France to share intel, best practices vs. terrorism


The Philippines and France on Thursday explored ways to step up the fight against terrorism. President Benigno Aquino III said both countries agreed to share intelligence and “best practices” to thwart terrorist activities.

It has been more than a month since Islamist terrorists killed 11 people in Paris and a month after police commandos killed alleged Bali bomber Marwan in Maguindanao.
 
In a joint press conference with French President Francois Hollande, President Benigno Aquino said they tackled how to “fortify” both countries against terrorists during an expanded bilateral meeting in Malacañang Palace.
 
“Terrorism is a problem for all of mankind, and if we do not act together, then we are not fortifying ourselves to the nth degree possible and this is something that we should avoid,” Aquino said.
 
Last January 7, 11 people were killed and 11 others were injured after Islamist terrorist brothers attacked the offices of French satirical weekly newspaper, Charlie Hebdo.
 
The terror attack drew condemnation from several countries, including the Philippines.
 
Militant Islamist groups such as the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf continue to threaten parts of southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

West PHL Sea issue
 
France also expressed support for the Philippines’ efforts to settle through international arbitration its territorial dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea, which Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.
 
Aquino said Hollande backed his administration’s push for a rules-based approach to the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China.
 
"We reiterated the importance of maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia and promoting maritime security, freedom of navigation and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the  Law of the Sea  (UNCLOS)," the Philippine leader said in his speech.
 
The Philippine and China have been engaged in a territorial dispute over parts of the South China Sea over the past years.
 
The Philippines claims the West Philippine Sea is part of its exclusive economic zone under the international law. China, meanwhile, bases its historical claim over the area on its “nine-dash line.”
 
Last year, the Philippines brought its territorial dispute with China before the Netherlands-based Permanent Court of Arbitration. Beijing, however, has rejected the arbitration proceedings, repeatedly insisting on bilateral talks to settle to issue.

Agreements
 
The Philippines and France inked agreements seeking to promote cooperation in various fields.
 
Aquino and Hollande witnessed the signing of a pact that will encourage French tourists to visit the Philippines. 
 
The Philippines and France signed the following trade-related agreements:
 
Business Agreement for the operation, management and maintenance of the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx) between the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and its private-sector partner, the Manila North Tollways Corporation (MNTC); 
the Letter of confirmation for the financing agreement for the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project; and the letter of award for the Manila Light Rail Transit Line 1 Extension project between the Light Rail Manila Corporation and French companies: Bouygues Travaux Publics, and Alstom Transport.

The two countries also formally agreed to increase student exchanges, and to undertake efforts to protect marine resources. — ELR, GMA News
Tags: terrorism
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