MANILA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Asia-Pacific countries need to strengthen cooperation in fighting terrorism and violent extremism that continue to put the world's most populous region and leading growth engine at risk, said a Philippine security expert.
Rommel Banlaoi, chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, told Xinhua in a recent interview that the region continues to see a rise in the spread of violent extremism and terrorism in recent months.
Nobody is immune to terrorist attacks anymore, he said. "Non-targets and peaceful countries will become the new targets in the future."
Facing such threats and challenges, the security expert suggested countries in the Asia-Pacific region continually strengthen their cooperation and collaboration in fighting terrorism and violent extremism.
"In the Asia-Pacific region, when we enhance our connectivity in economic and trade sectors, we should also prevent the movement of terrorism," he said.
"Connectivity must be promoted not only among economic players, but also among security agencies and law enforcement authorities," he added.
Banlaoi said efforts are needed to prevent and suppress the financing of terrorist acts and prevent the movement of terrorists or terrorist groups by effective border control and controls on issuance of identity papers and travel documents.
Banlaoi stressed the need for Southeast Asian countries to strengthen regional cooperation to counter, prevent and suppress terrorism in its forms and manifestations, and to deepen cooperation among regional law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities.
Regarding China's role in the regional anti-terrorism cooperation, Banlaoi said China can help the region promote public awareness and enhance existing cooperation on intelligence exchange and information sharing.
"We have noticed that China has done a lot on anti-terrorism in recent years. China has made a lot of efforts on anti-terrorism and gained significant achievements," he said.
Banlaoi suggested China expand its role in efforts to fight terrorism to ensure a stable Asia-Pacific region.
