Terrorism once again proving to be grave concern in Asia

Recent spate of attacks has governments scrambling to take countermeasures

SHOTARO TANI, Nikkei staff writer

Indonesian policemen guard the site of a suspected suicide bomb in Jakarta on May 25. © Getty Images

TOKYO -- Counter-terrorism measures, including expanding support for anti-Islamic State operations, are likely to feature prominently in the Group of Seven summit taking place in Italy on Friday and Saturday. Much of the talk will center around the deadly bombings at a pop concert in Manchester, U.K., but a string of attacks in Asia this week has highlighted once again that the region is no exception to terrorist activities, with governments stepping up efforts to contain future violence.

Thailand was the first Asian country to suffer a terrorist attack this week. A bomb attack on Monday, the third anniversary of a 2014 military coup, on a hospital in the Thai capital Bangkok wounded 24 people. There have yet to be any claims of responsibility, but suspicion is falling on political dissidents opposed to military rule, or Muslim separatists based in the south of the predominately Buddhist country.

In response, Thailand is deploying more soldiers and police in busy places such as harbours, transit stations and hospitals. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government would thoroughly check to make sure security cameras were running in public and commercial facilities.

On Tuesday, it was the Philippines' turn, with fierce fighting between the security forces and the Maute group, militants linked to Islamic State, taking place in Marawi, a predominantly Muslim city. The siege has killed at least 20 so far, 13 Maute rebels, five soldiers, and two police officers. Over 30 soldiers have been wounded, the armed forces said on Wednesday.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law on the southern island of Mindanao on Tuesday, and later warned he might extend it if terrorism spread beyond Mindanao. "If I think that the ISIS has already taken foothold also in Luzon [Island], I might declare martial law throughout the land to protect my country," Duterte said after getting back from a shortened visit to Russia.

A day after the conflict in the Philippines, two suicide bombers using pressure cooker bombs  containing nails and buckshot killed three police officers in an attack near a bus terminal in East Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday night, local police said. At least 10 others were injured. National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto said the incident may have been inspired by recent terrorist attacks in Manchester and in Marawi.

"We were anticipating an attack as soon as we heard about the Manchester and Marawi incidents," Wasisto said. "It's just that we didn't know where they would strike." No group has claimed responsibility so far, but the state police have determined the attack was targeting the security authorities.

Authorities and companies in countries yet to be affected are considering stepping up security in the wake of the Manchester bombing and the increased threat in the region. Singaporean companies managing concert spaces are looking at boosting security measures such as bag checks and deploying more guards, according to local news. Ariana Grande, the U.S. pop singer whose concert in Manchester was targeted in Monday's attack, is scheduled to perform at a Formula One race in Singapore in September.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said Wednesday that the country was re-evaluating its security measures for large events like concerts, as well as tourist hot spots and sports arenas, though it had not raised its terror threat level.

Japan's government and businesses have warned overseas travellers and employees to be careful of a heightened terrorism risk during Ramadan, a Muslim holy month. The Islamic State has exhorted its followers in recent years to launch terror strikes during the period. Travel agency JTB has been informing customers of the government warning.