20 June 2017

News Story: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines launch joint patrol to prevent militants from crossing sea borders

JAKARTA, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have launched a joint maritime operation and established maritime command centers (MCC) to halt militants fighting in Southern Philippine from crossing sea borders.

Defense ministers and military chiefs of the three countries on Monday met in Tarakan city of northern Borneo Island of Indonesia, agreeing to conduct the trilateral coordinated maritime patrol and the establishment of the MCCs in the three cities of the nations, Indonesian Military Commander General Gatoto Nurmantyo said in a statement.

The military commander said that the operation is expected to halt militants fighting in Marawi city in Southern Philippines from crossing the sea borders of the three nations for escape.

Sharing of intelligence information among the MCCs in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines will support the implementation of the joint naval patrol, Nurmantyo added.

Read the full story at Xinhua