PHL joint patrol with Indonesia, Malaysia set next week

Philippine security officials welcomed Friday the joint patrol with Indonesia and Malaysia off the waters bordering the three countries which will start next week.

Defense public affair service chief Director Arsenio Andolong said the joint patrol will help the three countries fight the threats facing the region.

“Considering the various threats we face in the south, this will help the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia effectively patrol, share information, and jointly operate to secure common maritime areas,” Andolong said.

“We have to remember that we now face evolving threats that go beyond borders that necessitate responses on an international scale. This a concrete example of such a response,” he added.

Philippine Navy chief Vice Admiral Ronald Joseph Mercado said the joint patrols were agreed by national leaders and then by defense officials.

“The Philippine Navy supports this action because the vast maritime area in southern Philippines is a big challenge for one country to monitor,” he said.

“Better monitoring and surveillance of the vast maritime domain will be done by multilateral joint patrols,” he added.

Mercado said the joint patrol will be launched n June 19 but he refused to provide details.

“The launching is on June 19. I cannot give you details before the launching,” he said.

Hishammuddin Hussein, Malaysia’s defense minister, earlier said the joint patrols are meant to counter threats from Islamic State-inspired groups.  — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News