‘Balikatan’ among Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia

From the Manila Bulletin (May 17): ‘Balikatan’ among Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia

The Indonesian National Police (INP) is seeking a Balikatan-like war games with its counterparts in the Philippines and Malaysia to strengthen border patrol against transnational crimes like smuggling, illegal drugs shipment and human trafficking.

Balikatan is an annual military exercise between the Philippines and the United States aimed at strengthening the interoperability against all kinds of security threats.

The proposal made by INP Commissioner General Suhardi Alius would call for a regular conduct of maritime law enforcement exercises that also aimed at strengthening the coordination and interoperability of the three police forces.

The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia share a vast tri-border corridor in the Sulu-Sulawesi Sea which is described as a vital sea lane for trade and commerce in the Asia-Pacific region.

The problem is that the same areas are also the favorite routes of criminal syndicates engaged in various transnational crimes that also include terrorism and even kidnapping-for-ransom.

Just recently, suspected Abu Sayyaf Group members kidnapped a Chinese tourist in Sabah and allegedly took them either in Basilan or Sulu. The most recent is the alleged kidnapping of two Germans near the boundary of Philippines and Malaysia.

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac, chief police information officer, said the call for the Balikatan-like maritime law enforcement exercises of the three countries was virtually started with the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between the chiefs of police of the three countries during the 34th ASEANAPOL conference in Pasay City.

“This is to strengthen cooperation and in recognition of the value of enhancing bilateral defense, and establishing a framework to facilitate cooperation and interoperability,” said Sindac.

Sindac said the agreement focuses on information exchange procedures, establishment of communication procedures on terrorism, money laundering, smuggling, piracy and robbery at sea, hijacking, theft of marine resources, marine pollution, illicit trafficking in arms and others.

Under the agreement, the participating countries will designate an organization to act as the communication and liaison center within their respective territory, staffed by representatives from defense, security or police of the respective countries for the implementation of the agreement.

The proposed maritime law exercises comes amid the big accomplishment of the Maritime Group of the Philippine National Police when it arrested 11 Chinese poachers off Palawan.

http://www.mb.com.ph/balikatan-among-philippines-indonesia-malaysia/