INDOMALPHI 4TH Trilateral Port Visit and Maritime Training Activity

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY (Nov. 28, 2018) - The light of growing security challenges arising from armed robbery against In ships, kidnapping, transnational crimes and terrorism in the maritime areas common to Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines a Joint Declaration on Immediate Measures to address security issues the Maritime areas of common concerns was entered in to by the Foreign Ministers and Chief of Defense Forces of the three Countries.

Naval Forces Western Mindanao Public Affairs Office Chief ENS Jesca May P Viduya, PN disclosed that the joint declaration was lead to the establishment of the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) as a mechanism for cooperation.

Viduya said that under the TCA framework, several trilateral maritime and air patrol were conducted as well as Port visit all purposely to enhance the cooperation and address common maritime issues. Three port visits were already conducted as follows:

1st Port Visit - NSJM, BatuBatu, PanglimaSugala, Tawi-Tawi on Nov 13-15, 2017

2nd Port Visit - Tarakan, North Kalimanan, Indonesia on April 4-6,2018

3rd Port Visit - Sandakan, Malaysia on Sept 4-6, 2018

4th Port Visit - Zamboanga City, Philippines on Nov 27-30, 2018.

Viduya also explained that the objective of the Trilateral Port Visit and Maritime Training Activity is to strengthen the relationship, enhance mutual cooperation and interoperability of the three countries through the development of combined rules of engagement and develop better understanding and cooperation to address common issues on our common maritime waters.

Viduya also said that the purpose of Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement is;

To establish cooperation of among the 3 countries in addressing the following:

                Terrorism                           Smuggling

                Kidnapping                         Intrusion

                Piracy                                Illegal entry

                Robbery at sea                   Drug trafficking

                Illicit trafficking in arms                Theft of marine resources

                Money laundering                        Marine pollution

To Support in securing the maritime waters including the Tawi-Tawi fishing ground of Zamboanga-Based fishing and canning industries.

To Prevent trafficking in person and illegal immigration.