Philippines to explore joint air patrols with neighbors

By Hader Glang

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines (AA) - Defense officials from the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia are to explore joint air patrols in transit corridors considered maritime areas of common concern.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted a statement from the Department of National Defense as saying Monday that the agreement had been reached following an increase in kidnappings in local waters this year by Daesh-linked militant group the Abu Sayyaf.

"The three ministers agreed to explore joint air patrols even while their respective armed forces are finalizing the parameters for maritime patrol in the agreed upon transit corridor in what the three countries consider as maritime areas of common concern,” the statement said.

“Primarily driven by the need to address the rising incidents of armed robbery at sea, kidnapping and piracy in the three countries’ areas of common concern, the trilateral meeting has evolved to be a platform for the defense ministers to address other emerging common concerns to include violent extremism."

The agreement is reported to have been reached between Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin and Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-U.S. Defense Dialogue in Hawaii Oct. 1.

The statement warned that the phenomenon of returning fighters from conflict in the Middle East could eventually create security challenges for the three countries, "something which the ministers recognized and hence their decision to further get their act together.”

The defense department’s assistant secretary for strategic assessment, Raymund Jose Quilop, added that with the support of their respective political leaders, the three defense chiefs had expressed confidence that the apparent intent of Daesh-affiliated groups to establish a caliphate in Southeast Asia would not become a possibility.