Defense Ministers Of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines Discuss Maritime Security Issues

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali)- Defense Ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, held a trilateral meeting here, Tuesday to discuss security issues in Sulu Sea where the three countries share a maritime border.

The three countries would realize cooperation previously agreed upon to respond to maritime security challenges such as hostage-taking incidents that had happened frequently, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said in his opening remarks of the meeting held at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC), here, Tuesday.

Malaysian Defense Minister Dato` Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Filipino Defense Minister Delfin N Lorenzana were also present at the trilateral meeting.

"It is crucial to immediately implement the trilateral cooperation," the minister said.

The three countries signed a Framework of Arrangement (FoA) document on standard procedure of maritime patrol, in Jakarta, on July 14, 2016.

Joint maritime patrol is expected to provide security against terrorism, international crimes, human trafficking, immigration, and drug trafficking.

Efforts to save people and ships also need special protocols.

The minister proposed an establishment of a joint military command post to facilitate mechanism of coordination, information distribution, and intelligence.

The three countries also need to declare the beginning of the cooperation implementation in the field.

The Bali meeting was the third trilateral defense ministerial meeting, following the first one held in Laos on the sidelines of the ASEAN Minister Meeting in May this year, and the second one in the Philippines in June 2016. (WDY)