Defense and intelligence collaboration up in Manila meeting

By APD Writer Melo M. Acuna

MANILA, June 14 (APD) – Foreign ministers along with top security and intelligence officials from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines will meet tomorrow to intensify defense collaboration after the recent attack of the ISIS-affiliated Maute Group in Marawi City.

Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement that they will discuss plans for intense trilateral cooperation aimed at “preventing extremists from establish operational bases in the Southeast Asian region.”

“The air is to make a team effort, rather than each country fending off extremism by themselves,” Mr. Cayetano added.

Secretary Cayetano, in the same statement said as security concerns threaten the robust economic growth in the region, countries are forging a collective effort against terrorism and extremism.

Joint maritime operations to fight transnational crimes and terrorism in the Sulu Sea and the triboundaries of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia were launched last Monday in Tarakan Naval Base, North Kalimantan in Indonesia.

Aside from Secretary Lorenzana, the launching ceremonies was attended by Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu of Indonesia and Malaysia’s Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. Other guests included Singapore’s Deputy Defense Minsiter Dr. Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman and Brunei’s Deputy Defense Miniser Dato Seri Pahlawan Abdul Aziz bin Haji Mohn Tamid.

Mr. Lorenzana, in a press briefing at the launching ceremonies said transnational security challenges faced by the three countries required the formation of the Trilateral Maritime Patrol. He was quoted saying the joint patrol would also benefit Brunei and Singapore. He added Singapore;s Information Fusion Center which monitors piracy in the Straits of Malacca and collates relevant data is one of the best practices that could be emulated and implemented.

Secretary Cayetano, in the same statement said as security concerns threaten the robust economic growth in the region, countries are forging a collective effort against terrorism and extremism.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)