11 October 2005, NEW YORK—The Philippines today urged the General Assembly of the United Nations to "walk the talk against terrorism" as a matter of urgency and complete the draft Comprehensive International Convention on Terrorism.

Ambassador Lauro L. Baja Jr., Permanent Representative to the United Nations, made the call when he delivered the Philippine statement before the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the 60th General Assembly here this morning.

"The Philippines believes that the United Nations can find common ground, a common cause to defeat the common adversary," the ambassador said. "Detection of terrorism and of terrorists and implementation of measures against these should be that common ground."

Ambassador Baja, who served as chair of the Committee during the 58th Session of the General Assembly in 2003, said it is a worthy endeavor to establish a broad legal framework on the prevention, repression and elimination of terrorism. He added that the draft convention, which the Sixth Committee has been negotiating on since 1998, highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating the terror scourge.

According to him, the broad legal framework in the draft convention will give states, which are unable or incapable of adopting laws against terrorism the necessary legislative backbone.

"The most recent attack in Bali again shows that international efforts at combating terrorism need to be strengthened and reformulated and these need to be done fast," the ambassador said. "As terrorism has metamorphosed and the number of terrorists has increased and diversified, so must measures to eliminate this scourge."

"In the Philippines, we are fighting terrorism with national vigilance and with a web of bilateral and regional networks to combat terrorism and with interfaith dialogue for peace," the ambassador pointed out.

"The Philippines likewise advocates that comprehensive measures aimed at eliminating safe havens for terrorists and denying funds for terrorist activities must be taken," he said. According to him, programs aimed at eliminating poverty, reducing disenfranchisement, stimulating development and reducing the differences that divide humanity must be undertaken.

"We also believe that it is important to win the hearts and minds of peoples in support of any measure designed to combat terrorism," Ambassador Baja said. "Protecting liberties and safeguarding fundamental human rights will ensure that such measures will not have the unintended consequence of playing into the aims and methods of terrorism."

He said other measures undertaken by the Philippines to help combat international terrorism include its participation in the Security Council Committees on Terrorism (1267, 1373, 1540 and 1566); the signing in September of the International Convention on the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism; and Manila's decision to join the United States-led Proliferation Security Initiative.

During the recent summit presided over by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the Security Council adopted Resolution 1624 which condemns the incitement of terrorist acts and calls upon all states to adopt measures to prohibit and prevent such incitement. END