CLARK, Pampanga — A direct communications infrastructure that will allow defense ministers from the Association of the Southeast Asian (ASEAN) region to communicate rapidly and orderly in a secured hotline and at the same time, promote good response operation within the regional community was launched Tuesday during the 4th Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus at the ASEAN Convention Center here.
During the event, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, as chairman of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting, together with Brunei Darussalam Minister of Energy and Industry Pehin Dato Seri Setia (Dr.) AWG Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar presented the key management system of the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure for its official launch.
The launching of the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure was also witnessed by the other defense ministers’ of counterpart countries from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Russia.
In a video presentation during the launch by Brunei Darussalam which envisioned this initiative in 2013 ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzadin Waddaulah cited the need to address the security challenges afflicting the region.
“In my view, it is important to have in place practical procedures which could assist in avoiding undesired incidents at sea. For instance, if there is a major storm, fishermen may need them to take temporary shelters in disputed areas. Such innocent incidents may be misinterpreted and therefore, it would be appropriate to establish procedures for example, having a hotline to avoid misunderstanding,” he said.
The ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure was adopted by ADMM to prevent and defuse misunderstanding and misinterpretations and therefore, prevent unnecessary incidents that would escalate to tensions.
The combined efforts of the ASEAN member states culminated with the signing of the contract for ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure in November 2015.
In 2016, the standard operating procedure was endorsed for the establishment of ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure which is considered vital in practical defense cooperation. (Zorayda Tecson/PNA)
