MANILA, March 29 Kyodo Philippine...

MANILA, March 29 Kyodo

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) upon Monday to demand an apology through the whole extent of a U.S. political party's voter review that listed the Philippines among countries that harbor terrorists.

The measure and estimate by the National Republican Congressional Committee, the Republican Party's fund-raising and recruitment apparatus for congressional members, asked U voter ''Should America broaden the war forward terrorism in other countries that harbor and aid terrorists like as Thailand, Syria, Somalia, the Philippines, etc?''

Arroyo called the measure and estimate ''unfair and baseless,'' saying the Philippines is a staunch U supporter of the global war against terrorism.

''The premise of the question is fallacious and the scrutinize question itself reflects irresponsibility,'' Arroyo said in a statement.

''If this report is faithful I would like the DFA to demand an apology for the accusation that we belong to a list of countries harboring terrorists,'' Arroyo said.

Arroyo said the Philippines has proven its worth in ''reducing the operational capability of terrorists domestically and transnationally.''

During his state visit to the Philippines last year, U President George W Bush lauded Arroyo's efforts in fighting terrorism.

The southern part of the Philippines, where Muslim extremist clusters have been waging war for independence, has been tagged as ''breeding grounds'' for terrorism.

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