PH, Malaysia, Indonesia to meet on border security

Top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be meeting with their counterparts from Malaysia and Indonesia to strengthen security operations that could prevent kidnappings being perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa, PNP said he expected the representatives of the police forces of Malaysia and Indonesia to come to the Philippines and formalize an agreement on the security at the borders of the three countries.

“They will come here, we will have memorandum of understanding to sign,” said Dela Rosa.

Kidnappings of Malaysian and Indonesians, particularly crew of cargo vessels, have been a problem in the past months with the abduction being perpetrated by the ASG.

The bandits would then bring the hostages in Sulu or Basilan and release them only after ransom is paid.

Dela Rosa admitted that the kidnapping issue in the southern part of the country was one of the major issues he discussed with Indonesia and Malaysia counterparts, aside from the illegal drugs problems, during the annual meeting of chiefs of police of Southeast Asia in Kuala Lumpur.

“We had bilateral meetings with our counterparts, we discussed cooperation that could be done which include the problem in the South which is also a direct concern of Malaysia and Indonesia,” said Dela Rosa.

By August this year, Dela Rosa said he expects to meet with Malaysian and Indonesian officials to discuss the extent of cooperation to address kidnapping in Mindanao area.

“There are just some minor issues that are being resolved before it is finalized,” said Dela Rosa.

The southern backdoor is said to be one of the major routes of smuggling and human trafficking, wit authorities admitting that they are facing difficulty in the area because of the porous border.