Martin Savidge hosts Filipino peace negotiator and Catholic priest Eliseo Mercado and security analyst Zachary Abuza when Worldfocus Radio explores the forgotten terrorist front in the Philippines.

For more on Worldfocus’ coverage of the Philippines, including original videos, click here.

Since 9/11, the U.S. has stationed 500 to 600 troops in the Philippines to strengthen military forces there. The U.S. counter-insurgency effort in the Philippines has been applauded as a success story for its mix of military action and soft power — including one of the largest USAID packages in the world.

But how lasting is this counter-insurgency success? Does it solve the root problems of poverty and lack of schools and infrastructure? And, if the U.S. pulls out, is the Philippines prepared to stop the tide of terrorism?

The U.S. strategy has been to root out terrorists from the lawless jungles of the south, which is home to the country’s Muslim minority and vulnerable to external terrorist groups like al-Qaeda.

The show:

• explains the current insurgency in the poor, predominantly Muslim south of the Philippines
• evaluates how Filipino counter-insurgency tactics measure up to other Southeast Asian counter-insurgency efforts
• examines the mix of U.S. military might, diplomacy and humanitarian aid to combat local and regional instability
• discusses the importance of peace and reconciliation between the numerous Filipino ethnic groups

Martin Savidge hosts the following guests:

Zachary Abuza is a professor at Simmons College, Boston, specializing in Southeast Asian politics and security issues. He visits the region four to five times a year. Zachary is the author of Conspiracy of Silence: The Insurgency in Southern Thailand and its Implications for Southeast Asian Security, Muslims, Politics and Violence in Indonesia and Militant Islam in Southeast Asia, among other publications. He contributes frequently to the Jane’s Intelligence Review, the Counterterrorism Blog and the Jamestown Foundation’s Terrorism Monitor.

Father Eliseo “Jun” Mercado, Jr. is a Catholic priest and peace advocate who has been extensively involved in the peace process in Mindanao, the southern part of the Philippines. He is an expert on the role of Islam in the Philippines and led the independent cease-fire between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front separatist group. Father Mercado has also been extensively involved in peace process in Mindanao. In October 2007, he was selected to be one of the 20 delegates representing all NGO and CSO accredited at the UN to the High Level UN Session on inter-religious dialogue.

Credits:
Host: Martin Savidge
Producers: Lisa Biagiotti and Ben Piven

But we don’t hear much about the toll on average Pakistanis and how they cope with the menace of militant attacks every day.

Daljit Dhaliwal talks about everyday life in Lahore with Saeed Shafqat, adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

This would not be the first time Muslim extremists have targeted Mumbai. A group called the Indian Mujahideen took responsibility for a series of blasts earlier this year.

Jeff Stein, who follows national security matters for Congressional Quarterly and writes a column called “Spy Talk,” speaks with Martin Savidge about the relationship between these groups and earlier warnings about threats to Mumbai. They also discuss tense Pakistan-India relations and the implications of the attacks for U.S. security.

Two eyewitness accounts are below the video.

Here are two eyewitness accounts:

Ankur Chawla, a staff trainee at the Taj Mahal Hotel, survived the attacks and speaks about his experience.	Rich Diffenderffer, an American businessman from Wilmington, Del., was on the fifth floor of the Taj Mahal Hotel when the terrorists struck.

Thumbnail courtesy of Flickr use darmesh84 and Creative Commons license.

AUDIO: Saumitra Srivastava, a businessman and eyewitness to the terror attacks, speaks to Worldfocus from on the ground in Mumbai.

Multiple terrorist attacks have killed at least 119 people and wounded at least 300 in Mumbai, India.

Gunmen opened fire at luxury hotels, a crowded train station and a restaurant popular with tourists.

The series of  terrorist attacks began shortly after 10 p.m., sending crowds streaming into the streets as explosions destroyed gas stations and grenade attacks broke out in at least seven different locations.

There are reports of hostages being held at hotels, some of them westerners.

A group called the Deccan Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for the attacks, and several suspects have been arrested.