PHILIPPINE and Indonesian warships yesterday launched joint patrol at the common boarders of the two countries to deter piracy, smuggling, and other maritime crimes.
Lt. Col. Ezra Balagtey, spokesman of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command based in Davao City, said the 10-day joint patrol mission at the Celebes Sea will start on Saturday.
Numerous kidnapping activities have been conducted by the Abu Sayyaf, a group notorious for beheading its captives, in the waters of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia over the few years. The group keeps its hostages in Sulu.
Balagtey said the joint patrol was launched in Davao City yesterday during a ceremony graced by Commodore Ramil Roberto Enriquez, chief of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Command, and Indonesian First Admiral Jonias Mozes Sipasulta.
Roberto and Sipasulta are vice chairmen of the boarder committee of Philippines and Indonesia.
Balagtey said the formal joint patrol will start tomorrow because the two sides will have tabletop exercises and goodwill games today.
Participating in the joint patrol are BRP Ramon Alcaraz from the Philippines and Kri Pandrong from Indonesia. The ships will be sent off during rites at the Sasa Wharf in Davao City tomorrow morning.
Balagtey said the joint patrol between the two countries is sanctioned by the 1975 Border Patrol and Border Crossing Agreement. He said the two countries conduct such joint patrols four times a year.
“The main mission is to secure the common border, to curtail maritime crimes, and stop various sea crimes like smuggling and piracy,” said Balagtey.
“Aside from its security purpose, the patrol will likewise provide the naval forces of both countries an opportunity to improve their interoperability and capability in furtherance of a safe and secure common border, through a naval exercise simulating different scenarios,” added Balagtey.
https://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/ph-indonesia-launch-joint-patrol
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