Arroyo calls for anti-terror law

Manila: President Gloria Arroyo urged lawmakers yesterday to pass a long-shelved anti-terrorism bill, following suspicion that the Abu Sayyaf Group was behind the bomb attack that killed nine people and wounded 20 others in a shop in Jolo, Sulu in the southern Philippines on Monday.

"Once more, and with a deep sense of urgency, I ask Congress to pass the anti-terrorism law that will enable our nation to constrict, contain and control this threat more effectively," Arroyo said.

"Terror never sleeps and we need to consistently carry out our comprehensive action plan to rid our country and the world of this grave threat," she added.