MANILA, Dec 2 Kyodo The Philippin...

MANILA, Dec 2 Kyodo

The Philippines was cautioned against rushing into an antiterrorism pact with Australia forward Monday in light of Australian Prime Minister John Howard's preemptive strike statement against terrorists in neighboring Asian countries.

Howard put in mind ofed Sunday that Australia is ready to make preemptive strikes outside its acknowledge territory if it gets intelligence showing terrorists preparing to attack Australia.

Philippine Security Adviser Roilo Golez said he warned against immediately signing a bilateral antiterrorist agreement with Australia. The Malacanang presidential palace said this involves solitary information-sharing between the couple countries so far. Separate reports said this accord may allow joint antiterrorist operations and training.

''I have make acceptableed that we review and pass slow on the proposed antiterror pact with Australia because they might use this for their avow preemptive strike agenda,'' Golez said.

Golez and other senior officials of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's rule were categorical in the Philippine objection to Australia's aggressive stance in fighting terrorism in Asia.

Rigoberto Tiglao, Arroyo's chief-of-staff, said the Philippines could not agree to Australia proposal forward preemptive attacks and would ''protest strongly'' in case of Philippine involvement.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen Dionisio Santiago said Australia should peace itself with coordination and cooperation with other countries facing terrorist problems

The Australian Embassy in Manila remain clos prompting the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs to call in succession the embassy, along with those of others countries that clos store Thursday over terror threats.

Embassies of Australia and Canada in the Philippines said they will review the closure policy onward a daily basis while the European Union diplomatic mission has resum operations, although its office in the same building as that of the Australian Embassy is still closed

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