AFP chief calls for enhanced Asean ties to tackle security threats

From the Daily Tribune (May 22): AFP chief calls for enhanced Asean ties to tackle security threats

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Año has called for an enhanced collaboration among security officials of all member-states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) amid the growing economy in the region and the spread of extremism inspired by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

As chairman of the 14th Asean Chiefs of Defense Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM), Año highlighted the need to have a secure and stable Southeast Asia amid the rising economy in the region.

“Asean has become a rising global economic force due to its strategic location and economic activity. It has abundant resources, a more integrated market, and a large combined GDP from its members,” Año said during the plenary session of the meeting.

“By providing security to our respective nations, we create a better environment for growth and prosperity. And through purposive security cooperation, we actually help to secure and sustain our region’s economic gains. We all know that a secure Asean is a progressive Asean,” he added.

The two-day meeting resulted in the signing of a joint statement by all the attending military chiefs of Asean which calls for enhancing joint military exercises and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capacities.

The participants also agreed to formalize the ACDFIM to become a mechanism to counter the spread of violent ideologies and to create a coordinated response to non-traditional threat like disasters which was agreed upon during the 12th iteration of the meeting in Kuala Lumpur in 2015.

Año pushed for the formalization of the ACDFIM, which was echoed by military chiefs in attendance to ensure integrated and coordinated efforts.

The AFP chief cited the partnership inked by the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia to jointly secure their tri-boundaries as a good example of collaboration.

“This partnership with neighbors will negate the threats and shows that strong military cooperation is important in aligning our security requirements and initiatives,” Año said.

The existing trilateral agreement was aimed at combating trans-border crimes, terrorism, piracy and other militant activities in the Sulu-Sulawesi-Celebes Sea.

The AFP chief also introduced the Development Support and Security Plan “Kapayapaan” to the participants, as the AFP’s approach to attain national well-being through interplay of good governance, security and development.

“With this intensified holistic approach, we have made a lot of headway in our fight against terrorism. Efforts with the help of local leaders and the populace have significantly crippled the operations of ISIS-linked terrorist groups,” Año said.

Col. Edgard Arevalo, AFP-Public Affairs Office chief, said that the meeting focused on the security challenges besetting the region, including the threat coming from ISIS-inspired groups.

“The threats of terrorism, particularly the spread of ISIS-inspired extremism; maritime security concerns, and onslaught of disasters and calamities became the focus of the meeting and these inspired the mutual agreement to forge stronger partnerships,” Arevalo said.

The ACDFIM was attended by the 10 military chiefs from the Asean member states and is slated to be held next year in Singapore as host country.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/nation/afp-chief-calls-for-enhanced-asean-ties-to-tackle-security-threats