“I also asked China if they can patrol the international waters without necessarily intruding into the territorial waters of the country. We would be glad if we have their presence,” Duterte said in a speech before newly promoted generals led by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Eduardo Año at Malacañang last night. File photo
MANILA, Philippines - In a bid to stop the expansion of extremism and piracy in the southern seas, President Duterte has requested China to patrol the areas in international waters leading to Malacca Strait and the Sulu Sea.
“I also asked China if they can patrol the international waters without necessarily intruding into the territorial waters of the country. We would be glad if we have their presence,” Duterte said in a speech before newly promoted generals led by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Eduardo Año at Malacañang last night.
This developed as a special emissary of the Indonesian government flew in Monday night to seek clarification on a kidnapping incident.
Duterte stressed the Islamic State (IS) problem should be contained.
“I cannot allow (it), they are not only killing…it has nothing to do with Moro and Christians. They are just killing everybody. They are kidnapping Indonesians. There is a report of kidnapping there and a special emissary was sent by the Central Government of Jakarta who flew in last night,” he said.
Duterte said he told the top Indonesian official that the Philippines and Indonesia have agreed to address the security concerns in the high seas bordering the two countries, as well as Malaysia.
“I just remind them about this understanding, put it into practice. Allow more ships (to enter the area),” Duterte said.
He was referring to the trilateral maritime agreement between the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia on joint air patrols in the problem areas.
It was at this juncture that Duterte revealed that he has asked for China’s help if Philippine forces, with their meager resources, are unable to address the problem.
Duterte said ships of the Chinese coast guard could come in without treading into the country’s territorial zones, keeping in mind the arbitration ruling against China.
He said Beijing could deploy its coast guard cutters, not its “gray ships” or naval assets.
He cited Beijing’s assistance to Somalia at the height of piracy in the area.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the President could just be expressing his serious concerns on the continuing kidnapping activities in Mindanao.
Esperon added there was also an Indonesian who was injured during a military operation in Butig, Lanao del Sur, the known lair of the extremist Maute Group.
“Terrorism is an international concern, that’s what he meant. If he may have mentioned one country, all countries are also concerned on terrorism,” Esperon said.
Impeding trade
Duterte expressed concern that the piracy and kidnapping incidents in Sulu Sea and Malacca Strait have impeded trade operations in the area.
He made the statement following reports that some international cargo ships have opted to look for other sea routes despite added expense.
Duterte said if the route is closed due to the high incidence of kidnapping cases, the flow of goods would be hampered and become very costly to international traders.
“Either they go up to the north, and if they’re headed for Mexico, down south, or here where it would be nearer, which would mean higher costs, higher rate, higher insurance, it adds up to the goods and the services there, governs the world, it’s always goods and services,” Duterte said.
With Duterte asking for Beijing’s help, observers noted he also allowed China to implement its Maritime Silk Road that includes the Malacca Strait as one of its stops.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had announced that his country wanted to revive not just the traditional Silk Road’s land route, but also a maritime route.
Reports said most of China’s trade and about 80 percent of its energy needs pass through the Malacca Strait.
Before Duterte’s pivot to China, there had been so much resistance against Beijing’s expansion operations in many areas in the South China Sea.
Alsa Masa style
Duterte has also considered giving firearms to locals to empower them in fighting against militants, a strategy similar to the old Alsa Masa group.
The Alsa Masa was established as a vigilante group in 1984 to combat communist insurgency in Davao City.
Duterte revealed authorities have gathered reports that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon had joined forces with the Maute group in the quest to become the head of IS in the Philippines.
“And there is the Maute, and from what we gather, Hapilon was chosen to lead,” he added.
Duterte, who has expressed serious concern about the IS propagation in the country even in his meetings with the diplomatic community, pointed out the need to contain the fighting in Southern Philippines.
“I told (Defense Secretary) Delfin, General Lorenzana, and all, that we have to contain the fighting. We cannot afford to allow it to spread. Or else, I’ll be forced to arm everybody,” he said.
But he cautioned that the Alsa Masa ended up using the arms given to them “against civilians for depredations, hold-up, all of it.”
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/01/1667902/duterte-taps-china-vs-pirates-sulu-sea
“I also asked China if they can patrol the international waters without necessarily intruding into the territorial waters of the country. We would be glad if we have their presence,” Duterte said in a speech before newly promoted generals led by Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Eduardo Año at Malacañang last night.
This developed as a special emissary of the Indonesian government flew in Monday night to seek clarification on a kidnapping incident.
Duterte stressed the Islamic State (IS) problem should be contained.
“I cannot allow (it), they are not only killing…it has nothing to do with Moro and Christians. They are just killing everybody. They are kidnapping Indonesians. There is a report of kidnapping there and a special emissary was sent by the Central Government of Jakarta who flew in last night,” he said.
Duterte said he told the top Indonesian official that the Philippines and Indonesia have agreed to address the security concerns in the high seas bordering the two countries, as well as Malaysia.
“I just remind them about this understanding, put it into practice. Allow more ships (to enter the area),” Duterte said.
He was referring to the trilateral maritime agreement between the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia on joint air patrols in the problem areas.
It was at this juncture that Duterte revealed that he has asked for China’s help if Philippine forces, with their meager resources, are unable to address the problem.
Duterte said ships of the Chinese coast guard could come in without treading into the country’s territorial zones, keeping in mind the arbitration ruling against China.
He said Beijing could deploy its coast guard cutters, not its “gray ships” or naval assets.
He cited Beijing’s assistance to Somalia at the height of piracy in the area.
National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said the President could just be expressing his serious concerns on the continuing kidnapping activities in Mindanao.
Esperon added there was also an Indonesian who was injured during a military operation in Butig, Lanao del Sur, the known lair of the extremist Maute Group.
“Terrorism is an international concern, that’s what he meant. If he may have mentioned one country, all countries are also concerned on terrorism,” Esperon said.
Impeding trade
Duterte expressed concern that the piracy and kidnapping incidents in Sulu Sea and Malacca Strait have impeded trade operations in the area.
He made the statement following reports that some international cargo ships have opted to look for other sea routes despite added expense.
Duterte said if the route is closed due to the high incidence of kidnapping cases, the flow of goods would be hampered and become very costly to international traders.
“Either they go up to the north, and if they’re headed for Mexico, down south, or here where it would be nearer, which would mean higher costs, higher rate, higher insurance, it adds up to the goods and the services there, governs the world, it’s always goods and services,” Duterte said.
With Duterte asking for Beijing’s help, observers noted he also allowed China to implement its Maritime Silk Road that includes the Malacca Strait as one of its stops.
Chinese President Xi Jinping had announced that his country wanted to revive not just the traditional Silk Road’s land route, but also a maritime route.
Reports said most of China’s trade and about 80 percent of its energy needs pass through the Malacca Strait.
Before Duterte’s pivot to China, there had been so much resistance against Beijing’s expansion operations in many areas in the South China Sea.
Alsa Masa style
Duterte has also considered giving firearms to locals to empower them in fighting against militants, a strategy similar to the old Alsa Masa group.
The Alsa Masa was established as a vigilante group in 1984 to combat communist insurgency in Davao City.
Duterte revealed authorities have gathered reports that Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon had joined forces with the Maute group in the quest to become the head of IS in the Philippines.
“And there is the Maute, and from what we gather, Hapilon was chosen to lead,” he added.
Duterte, who has expressed serious concern about the IS propagation in the country even in his meetings with the diplomatic community, pointed out the need to contain the fighting in Southern Philippines.
“I told (Defense Secretary) Delfin, General Lorenzana, and all, that we have to contain the fighting. We cannot afford to allow it to spread. Or else, I’ll be forced to arm everybody,” he said.
But he cautioned that the Alsa Masa ended up using the arms given to them “against civilians for depredations, hold-up, all of it.”
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/02/01/1667902/duterte-taps-china-vs-pirates-sulu-sea
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