War on piracy

President Duterte allows Indonesian forces in PH waters

JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Duterte is allowing Indonesian forces to enter Philippine waters. He made it clear, however, that the Indonesian forces would only be allowed during hot pursuit operations for pirates.

Speaking to members of the Filipino community here last Friday, President Duterte said there is so much piracy in waters of Sulu and Sulawesi Sea, hence the need to step up joint measures to address the issue.

He went on to say that he was in Indonesia to get an agreement with President Joko Widodo about the problem.

Later, the President and the Indonesian leader signed an agreement to ensure maritime security in the region and affirming both countries’ commitment to fight terrorism and illegal drugs.

The signing of the “Joint Declaration on Cooperation on Maritime Security and Law Enforcement” was held at the Istana Merdeka on the second day of Duterte’s working visit here.

“We expressed grave con-

cern over the security of our waters. We agreed to step up joint measures to address the issue of piracy and lawlessness in the waters in our region,” Duterte said after the signing.

“Those pirates that are being chased out of the territorial waters of Indonesia and in the high seas and toward the jurisdictional waters of the Philippines, they can, they have the right to go in,” said Duterte.

The President explained that in the high seas, the rule in international waters is that if you are a pirate, you can be arrested by any nation because piracy is a crime against humanity.

“But this time, we make it clear that if the chase began here (Indonesia) then crosses, the chase continues in the international waters and if they are really fast enough also, inside now the Philippine waters, they can go ahead and blast them off. Pasabugin mo na. That’s the agreement . . . that’s one of my words actually to President Widodo,” he continued.

In an interview later in afternoon, Duterte told reporters that the problem on piracy has prevented the two countries from comfortably exchanging commerce and trade.

Because of the problem, he said they have agreed to come up with a strong measure. “I will wait for the draft but we – I and President Widodo – have agreed to end this problem,” according to Duterte.

When asked to expound on what he said, Duterte explained that there will be some interdiction by their Indonesian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“But entering the Philippine waters, we have agreed really also to just coordinate and if there is a pursuit (operations), in the meantime, they can radio or call our forces nearby to take over because we are entering your jurisdiction.

When asked if this will be on top of the existing border agreement, he replied: “Yes, because this time, personally I would allow the pursuit until such time that there is a competent Philippine authority who will take over in the chase.”

Several Indonesian and Malaysians sailors have been abducted this year in waters bordering Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. While some of the victims have been released as of June, at least 10 are still in the hands of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

During his working visit, President Duterte took the opportunity to apologize to President Widodo for the recent spate of kidnappings of Indonesian sailors by the armed men in waters off Sulu Sea.

Both leaders expressed grave concern on maritime security, prompting them to agree to further intensify maritime cooperation, particularly in waters bordering the neighboring countries.

“I am very sorry Mr. President that sometimes the shipments of even the coal that is needed by the power plants of my country are hampered (when) crossing that area there because there is a lot of piracy,” Duterte said during his meeting with the Widodo at the State Palace.

Duterte acknowledged that these kidnapping incidents had become a major problem.

And as the Philippines and Indonesia agreed to intensify maritime cooperation, Duterte expressed hope that “that there will be no more such security issues in the Sulu Sea.”