(Eagle News) — The Philippines will intensify coordination with its Indonesian counterparts to ensure security and prevent the utilization of territorial waters as an “avenue for the proliferation of terrorism and other transnational crimes,” among others.
The border committees of both countries said in a statement that they were considering adding more border crossing stations to “closely monitor the entry and exit” of their nationals.
In the statement issued days after President Rodrigo Duterte met with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Davao, the committees also agreed to include other military units and government agencies amongst their ranks.
They said that the system will provide for the “hands-on involvement of each country’s immigration, quarantine and customs bureaus.”
A hotline between the naval commanders will also ensure that they “immediately address developing situations and other challenges of the current time,” they said.
To further improve maritime security cooperation, both committees have also agreed to start the review of the 1975 Border Patrol and Border Crossing Agreements “that will seek to recommend amendments of its provisions..”
“This effort will contribute in uplifting the economic well being of our respective countrymen while assuring their protection enroute to the fishing grounds at high seas,” the border committees said.
