Indonesia’s military officials are seeking a meeting with their counterparts in the Philippines and Malaysia for the setting up of joint sea patrols to stop terrorists from launching attacks similar to what happened in Marawi City.
Indonesia’s military chief, Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, and Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu are seeking the meeting in Indonesia’s Tarakan island in northern Borneo next week, according to a report from Inquirer.net.
The officials said the signing of a joint maritime patrol agreement may result from the meeting.
The Islamic State-inspired Maute group took over Marawi in Lanao de Sur on May 23 and government forces are still trying to retake the city from the militants. The fighting has resulted in the death of 191 Maute fighters and 58 soldiers and policement. Around 20 civilians were also killed, some shot by Maute snipers.
Nurmantyo told reporters and military officials in Jakarta on Monday that there are also IS-affiliated groups in Indonesia like the Maute group.
Indonesia has beefed up security in its border with the Philippines in anticipation of militants who will try to sneak into the country, according to Maj. Gen. Ganip Warsito, the regional military chief of Indonesia in charge of overseeing the closest areas to neighboring Philippines.
credit: Naval Today
