The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to conduct joint maritime patrols along Southeast Asia’s shipping routes following recent incident of kidnapping in southern Philippines. The three countries agreed for measures including the creation of a framework to conduct maritime patrols in affected maritime areas.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between foreign ministers and chiefs of armed forces in Indonesia. The meeting discussed joint efforts by the three countries to address security issues and common maritime concerns, especially the recent kidnapping incidents.
Alarm bells have been ringing in three countries for weeks following a series of kidnappings over the past month or so involving 14 Indonesian and four Malaysian sailors. The abductions are believed to have been carried out by gunmen linked to the Abu Sayyaf Group. Of these, ten Indonesians were released earlier this week following close communication between the three countries, while the rest still remain in captivity, the Dimplomat reports
In a joint statement, the three countries said they “recognized the growing security challenges, such as those arising from armed robbery against ships, kidnapping, transnational crimes, and terrorism in the region, particularly in reference to the maritime areas of common concern.”
