US, Australia welcome RP’s anti-terror law

The United States and Australia on Tuesday welcomed the signing into law of the Philippines’ anti-terrorism measure. “This new law will help provide Philippine law enforcement and judicial authorities with the legal tools they need to confront the threats posed by international terrorism, while ensuring protection of civil liberties and human rights," the US Embassy said in a statement. “The United States will continue to work with the Philippines as a partner and ally in the war on terrorism, providing technical assistance, training and sharing information with Philippine counterparts," the statement added. In Canberra, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said the new law will make it easy for authorities to go after suspected terrorists in the Philippines. He said the new law showed the Philippine government’s sincerity in implementing counter-terrorism measures. Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Tony Hely said Australia and the Philippines will continue to work together to fight terrorism under a bilateral assistance package worth A$10 million (approximately PhP37 million) and a regional assistance package of A$ 400 million (PhP 14.87 billion) since 2004. - GMANews.TV