Joint press release on 36th Ph-Indonesia Border Committee Chairmen’s Conference

The 36th Republic of the Philippines – Republic of Indonesia Border Committee Chairmen’s Conference hosted by the Philippine Government through the Eastern Mindanao Command, Armed Forces of the Philippines was held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier Mall, Davao City on 08-09 January 2018 in an atmosphere of cordiality and cooperation. Both Committees deliberated on matters of common concern and interest to both countries.

In support to the intent of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, as a result of his meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister RetnoMarsudi here in Davao last week, the Committees agreed to intensify the conduct of Coordinated Patrol operations that will seek to ensure security and maritime control in our common borders. It also aims to prevent the utilization of our respective territorial waters as an avenue for the proliferation of terrorism and other transnational crimes.

Similarly, the Committees agreed to look into measures to ensure the safe passage of our respective nationals, to include fisher folks, in the border areas. This effort will contribute in uplifting the economic well being of our respective countrymen while assuring their protection enroute to the fishing grounds at high seas.

Considering the porous shorelines of our archipelagic domains, both Committees also looked into the possibility of increasing the number of Border Crossing Stations (BCS) that will be strategically situated at common border areas and, to further strengthen the operational functions of the existing BCSs. This effort will provide a systematic scheme in closely monitoring the entry and exit of the nationals of both countries with the hands-on involvement of each country’s immigration, quarantine and customs bureaus.

Further, the Committees decided in the inclusion of other concerned military units and government agencies in the Border Committees as well as establishing a definitive hotline between our naval commanders in order to immediately address developing situations and other challenges of the current time.

It is also the intent of both Committees to jumpstart the review of the 1975 Border Patrol and Border Crossing Agreements that will seek to recommend amendments of its provisions in order to improve maritime security cooperation between our countries.

With these, the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Indonesia Border Committees expressed satisfaction on the results of the conference and reaffirmed existing mutual understanding on border relations and bilateral cooperation between countries.

BENJAMIN R MADRIGAL JR LIEUTENANT GENERAL, AFP Commander, Eastern Mindanao Command Chairman, RPBC

DIDIK SETIYONO S.E., M.M. REAR ADMIRAL, TNI Commander, Eastern Fleet Command Chairman, RIBC