By Lilian Mellejor/Philippine News Agency
DAVAO CITY – The Philippines and the Republic of Indonesia are increasing this year’s coordinated border patrol activities, citing the gains of the border and maritime defense and security cooperation since the Marawi siege in 2017.
Commodore Ramil Enriquez, chairman of the Republic of the Philippines Border Control Committee, underscored the sharing of security information that led to the arrest of suspected members of an international terrorist group trying to enter the country’s backdoor at the height of the Marawi siege.
Enriquez said the cooperation also helped curb smuggling and human trafficking at the high seas in both countries.
He said the heightened patrols would also increase the interoperability and capability to ensure a safe and secure both country’s common maritime border.
Indonesian First Admiral Gig Jonias Mozes Sipasulta said the cooperation of the Philippines and Indonesia has demonstrated the professionalism of its members.
“This kind of friendship between the two countries can help resolve any problem. We need each other,” he told reporters during a press conference on the sidelines of the opening the coordinated patrol here.
Enriquez shared Sipasulta’s observation, saying the cooperation also improved the exchange of information and in helping each other in times of calamities.
He said the send-off ceremony on Friday will signal the start of the first leg of the activities, where members of the maritime forces of both countries will spend three days on shore and 10 days at sea.
The second and third leg of the activities will focus more on security activities, while the fourth leg will move towards the conclusion of the border patrol activities.
Enriquez said the two borders are under the area of responsibility of the Eastern Mindanao Command on Balut Island in Davao Occidental, and Tibanban in Gov. Generoso, Davao Oriental.
Last year, both countries agreed to look into measures to improve the safe passage of Filipinos and Indonesian nationals in the border areas, such as fishermen.
The coordinated patrol between the two countries started in 1975 when the Philippines and Indonesia signed the Border Patrol and Border Crossing Agreements, which were aimed at improving maritime security cooperation.
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