Duterte to meet Widodo, Razak for possible 'joint task force vs terrorists'

PRESIDENT

Rodrigo Duterte said he will meet soon Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak to discuss possible creation of a join task force against terrorists.

Duterte told reporters in Davao City that the three of them have agreed to talk.

"So naghintay lang kami ng timing," he said, adding the meeting could take place either "near the Philippine shore. Sabah might be a good venue or Jakarta."

He said their respective officials have already been talking, "but to formalize an agreement, we have to meet face to face and agree on an agenda for the talks."

Asked what will they discuss, the President said, "in all probability, it will be a joint, parang task force."

He said the Philippine government will open its borders to the Malaysian and Indonesian authorities in the event that those lawless elements that they have been pursuing enter the country's territory.

"They’ll be given access. Kung may hinahabol kami, tapos sabihin, malakas ‘yan, wala nang panahon, tirahin mo na lang siya. Even if it’s a Filipino, sabihin mo doon...'tirahin mo na,' or Indonesian dito...banatan mo," he sai d.

The tree countries have existing agreement to patrol their common borders to prevent the movement of Islamic jihadists.