GMA to lead APEC meeting on terror

President Arroyo will lead the meeting of world leaders on global efforts against terrorism for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Summit in Busan, South Korea next week.

Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said Mrs. Arroyo would also likely meet with US President George W. Bush on the sidelines of the summit from Nov. 17 to 19 to discuss the efforts of the two countries’ in addressing the worldwide menace.

Bunye said the President will highlight developments in the fight against poverty and terrorism as head of the APEC Counterterrorism Task Force.

"As chair of the Counterterrorism Task Force, the Philippines is expected to bring the issue up as one of the points of intervention during the summit," he said.

The Philippines was chosen to head the anti-terror task force during the APEC meeting in Santiago, Chile last year. President Arroyo subsequently named retired Armed Forces chief Benjamin Defensor as task force head with the rank of ambassador. — Aurea Calica