Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines reach agreement to patrol the East Sea

These three countries have agreed to allow their coast guard forces to pursue suspicious vessels in each other’s waters, according to information published in the US Wall Street Journal on August 2.

Illustration photo: AFP.

Accordingly, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have agreed to allow maritime control forces the right to pursue suspicious vessels in each other's waters, in order to deal with hostage-taking activities by Islamic rebels.

The three countries’ defense ministers met for the third time since May 2016 to outline plans for joint patrols in waters off the southwestern Philippines. They are also discussing an agreement that would allow each other’s security forces to conduct patrols along their land borders.

According to Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the three countries are still discussing these issues because there are still some institutional obstacles, and will continue to consult if allowed to deploy operations on land.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo proposed joint patrols in late April 2016, following a spate of piracy and hostage-taking by the Abu Sayyaf militant group targeting Westerners and locals.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryacudu said the purpose of the patrols is not only to fight against rebel forces but also to target other types of crimes such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, etc. Many security experts believe that the patrols will help strengthen Southeast Asia's maritime interests, including disputed areas in the East Sea./.

According to VIETNAM+