Defense ministers affirm Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement

From the Philippine Information Agency (Aug 8): Defense ministers affirm Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement 

The defense chiefs of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia met in Bali on August 2 to further discuss the current security challenges in the region, especially in the maritime areas of common concern.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Indonesian Defense Minister General (R) Ryamizard Ryacudu and Malaysian Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein reiterated their commitment to the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement signed in Jakarta on 14 July 2016.

The three defense leaders agreed to encourage the operationalization of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Maritime Patrol and Rendering Immediate Assistance; Operating Guidelines on Information and Intelligence Sharing; and Combined Communication Plan.

Recognizing the mutual trust and high responsibility from all parties, the defense chiefs agreed to further explore coordinated activities among the Armed Forces of the three countries, a trilateral database sharing mechanism, and the concept of the Malacca Strait Patrol (MSP) to address maritime security concerns, among others.

During the meeting, the leaders also reiterated their stand against violent extremism and terrorism, and concern over the repeated incidents of armed robbery and kidnapping at sea in the maritime areas of common concern to the three countries.

The defense ministers reaffirmed their commitment to address such threats.

The Trilateral Meeting was conducted in accordance with the ASEAN’s principles of equality, mutual trust and respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in the internal affairs of one another, and good neighborliness.(DND)

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141470575762/defense-ministers-affirm-trilateral-cooperative-arrangement-