Last June a historic agreement was signed between the
Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
The Trilateral Maritime Patrol agreement was agreed for
border areas in Indonesia, Sabah area and the Philippines, which aims to
address the porous borders and ensure organized patrols to prevent abductions
at high sea.
“These abductions at sea are put to and end and the movement
of potential armed elements, any jihadist organizations or any armed
organizations will not go through all these porous borders because of that
heightened security,” Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla, spokesperson of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP). *
 |
| The Philippine Air Force Cessna-208B Grand Caravan Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) that was acquired brand new from the United States last July 2017 (photo credit to owner) |
Yesterday, another historical event that is complementing
the Trilateral Maritime Patrol was sealed. The Philippines has signed a Trilateral
Air Patrol (TAP) agreement with Indonesia and Malaysia to their respective
armed forces to work together in guarding and patrolling maritime areas,
especially those in the south where $40 billion in trade passes through
annually.
This will complement the three nations' "Trilateral
Maritime Patrol," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Spokesperson Major
Gen. Restituto Padilla said.
"The TAP of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines
that complements the earlier arrangement for the conduct of the 'Trilateral
Maritime Patrol' for the common area of maritime interest among these countries
.
He added that TAP, which is primarily focused on fighting terrorism in
the common maritime areas of the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia, would
allow its air assets to do regular patrols.
“Terrorists have and are now
using these areas as transshipment points and avenues of movement. (Threats of
terrorism) would be better addressed by common efforts from like minded
countries,” Padilla said.
The "Trilateral Maritime Patrol" was signed by
the three nations last April. Defense ministers from the participating nations
along with their ranking military officials attended the launching activity.
Padilla said Brunei and Singapore also sent their
representatives as observers.
He added the TAP agreement has designated the area of
maritime interest that will be the subject of both maritime and air patrols. It
will be carried out from designated staging points. *
Staging point for Indonesia is Tarakan; Bongao for the
Philippines; and Tawau for Malaysia.
"Each country will take turns leading the mission thru
a designated mission commander using host country air assets. Air patrol will
be monitored from a maritime coordinating center. A host country will use their
air assets with other nations patrol teams aboard," the AFP spokesperson
said.
Report from PNA.gov.ph
0 comments