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| The Western Mindanao Command is conducting joint operations with Malaysian and Indonesian troopers to strengthen patrols in the common water border of the three countries. File photo | By Roel Pareño via Philstar |
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Forces from the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia are refining joint operations to stop kidnapping incidents hatched by groups linked to the Abu Sayyaf in the southern border, according to a security official.
Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), disclosed the joint operation following the latest abduction of two Indonesian fishermen last Friday off the waters of Kunak district in Sabah.
Tan said the Westmincom is coordinating with the military forces of Malaysia and Indonesia following the tripartite security meeting due to the spate of cross-border kidnappings.
“We [are] actually refining the procedures of the implementation of the joint operations,” Tan said.
According to Tan, President Rodrigo Duterte himself talked with the involved countries to address the kidnapping incidents by strengthening the patrols, especially in the common water border of the three countries.
“Could you just imagine these three countries will do the joint patrols that will be a big help,” Tan said.
Tan said the operations were already being implemented.
“However, the sea lanes and areas are so vast and the enemies are not passing on the sea lanes but on the coastal areas," the Westmincom spokesman said.
“What we need here is more of predicting their movement and also those who sail in that area must be cautious and do the alert immediately if they notice speedboat prowling,” Tan said.
He added that those plying the route in the southern border should also be on that watch and make distress calls so Malaysia or those from Indonesia could immediately react.
He said on their part they could immediately direct forces to intercept the suspects.
The military said that currently at least five Malaysians and four Indonesians have been abducted in Malaysian waters.
Tan said the five Malaysians are believed to be in the area of Sulu held by the Abu Sayyaf while the four Indonesians abducted in the area of Sabah were still being verified.
Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), disclosed the joint operation following the latest abduction of two Indonesian fishermen last Friday off the waters of Kunak district in Sabah.
Tan said the Westmincom is coordinating with the military forces of Malaysia and Indonesia following the tripartite security meeting due to the spate of cross-border kidnappings.
“We [are] actually refining the procedures of the implementation of the joint operations,” Tan said.
According to Tan, President Rodrigo Duterte himself talked with the involved countries to address the kidnapping incidents by strengthening the patrols, especially in the common water border of the three countries.
“Could you just imagine these three countries will do the joint patrols that will be a big help,” Tan said.
Tan said the operations were already being implemented.
“However, the sea lanes and areas are so vast and the enemies are not passing on the sea lanes but on the coastal areas," the Westmincom spokesman said.
“What we need here is more of predicting their movement and also those who sail in that area must be cautious and do the alert immediately if they notice speedboat prowling,” Tan said.
He added that those plying the route in the southern border should also be on that watch and make distress calls so Malaysia or those from Indonesia could immediately react.
He said on their part they could immediately direct forces to intercept the suspects.
The military said that currently at least five Malaysians and four Indonesians have been abducted in Malaysian waters.
Tan said the five Malaysians are believed to be in the area of Sulu held by the Abu Sayyaf while the four Indonesians abducted in the area of Sabah were still being verified.
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