Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines Agree To Support Marawi Reconstruction

Manila, the Philippines (Antara Bali) -  Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines agreed in a trilateral foreign ministerial meeting here on Sunday to increase their support to reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi in the Philippines after the city was liberated from terrorists' occupation.

"The success of the Philippines in liberating Marawi is important for the region signalling strong message about our cooperation strength in fighting terrorism and extremism," Indonesian foreign minister Retno L.P. Marsudi said.

She said the liberation of Marawi was not the final goal but it was the beginning of a bigger task which is realizing sustainable development and peace in Marawi and Soitheast Asia.

In view of that she said Indonesia would continue to support  the Philippines in the process of Marawi reconstruction and rehabilitation.

"Reconstruction and rehabilitation are a heavy task but with support and cooperation including the trilateral cooperation it would certainly be accomplished," she said.

After situation in Marawi is restored and people return to the city the next step would be rehabilitating and reconstructing the city's infrastructure, uniting the people, settling the root cause of the issue and preventing its recurrence.

In connection with that the Indonesian government reiterated its commitment to continuing its support to Marawi's reconstruction, she said.

"Indonesia will wait for the Philippine government to identify its needs for its reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts," she said.

Considering the increasingly complexity of security challenges including preventing the recurrence of Marawi situation Indonesia has taken an initiative to present concepts of action plan and roadmap that systematically offer concrete trilateral Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines cooperation activities.

The concepts would be discussed in detail in the next trilateral meeting in Indonesia next year, she said.

The trilateral meeting in the Philippines was the follow up of the meeting in June. The cooperation was established to increase effectiveness of the handling of cross-border organized crimes especially terrorism in Sulu and Sukawesi waters. (WDY)