Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines to jointly fight against terrorism

By APD writer Melo M. Acuna

**MANILA, June 22 (APD) ** – The three foreign ministers of neighboring countries met in Manila today and agreed to work together to stall whatever expansion programs the ISIS may have for the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia.

In a meeting this afternoon, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said she and her government have been orbserving what’s going on in Marawi City over the past weeks and have joined the world in expressing condemnation and extending sympathy to the innocent and non-combatants affected by the fighting.

“We also extend our sympathies to the armed forces in Marawi,” the minister said in her opening remarks. She added no country is immune from terrorism as “your challenges are our challenges as well as of the region’s.”

She said theres the need to sit and discuss the developments and pursue trilateral cooperation because “no action is not an option” as she called on her counterparts to “embark on concrete action.”

Minister Marsudi said terrorists have utilized the social media, a view her Malaysian counterpart, Minister Dato Shri Anifah Aman shares.

Minister Aman said with modern technology, especially in social media, terrorists have spread their message faster as they also recruit youngesters from faraway places.

“These terrorists have capitalized the people’s dissatisfaction and alienation to changes in the social, economic and cultural structures,” he further said.

He said terrorists decades ago were for self-preservation but today, “it is difficult to stop people who are willing to die.”

Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the terrorists utilize fear, hate and violence, an instrument putting their actions into their beliefs contrary to the teachings of the world’s major religions.

“We need to build a society that embraces all people and all religions,” he further added.

He likewise expressed the country’s gratitude to the support extended by both Malaysia and Indonesia in the government’s peace process with the Filipino Muslims.

Secretary Cayetano acknowledged the efforts exterted by both the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front, who in their prusuit of their political agenda through peaceful dialogue with the government.

Minister Marsudi said there is a need for preemptive action which could be attained through cooperation to counter terrorism.

She added a statement has been formulated how to confront terrorism.

She underscored technical consultations should follow.

Minister Aman said intelligence sharing is one approach to take in the trilateral cooperation.

“We should adopt a program for cooperation to marginalize the estremmists,” he added.

He explained a conference was hosted by the King Abdullah II of Jordan recently where different country representatives shared their experiences.

He said there is an urgent task to address the problems brought about by the incidents in Marawi City where “cross-border cooperation is required.”

The three foreign ministers were accompanied by their respective military and police commanders, counter-terrorism commanders and intelligence chiefs.

A statement will be issued later today after their closed-door no holds-barred meeting.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)