"Philippines-Indonesia joint patrols should be realized to help ensure the safety of Indonesian vessels in the Philippine waters. If we stop exporting coal to the Philippines, most of the southern parts of the country will have no access to electricity. Coal demands in the southern Philippines depend on exports from Indonesia," Vice President Jusuf Kalla pointed out here on Tuesday.
The vice president affirmed that joint patrols would secure the maritime trade route between Indonesia and the Philippines.
"If the Philippines does not offer a security guarantee to the ships from Indonesia that pass through its waters, then we cannot send the export commodities to the country. Thus, the onus lies with the Philippines," the vice president emphasized.
Earlier, in March, Indonesia had faced four hostage-taking incidents, mostly in the waters of southern Philippines, with the two earlier crises ending peacefully, as 14 Indonesians were released safely.
Ten Indonesian boat crew members were released on May 1 after being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group since March 26, 2016, while the four others held captive since April 15, 2016, were set free by the same group on May 11.
In the third crisis, seven Indonesian ship crew members of Tugboat Charles 001 and Barge Robby 152 were abducted in two incidents, with the first occurring on June 20, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. local time and another at 12:45 p.m. local time in the Sulu Sea while on their way back from the Philippines after delivering coal cargo.
In addition, the minister stated that the problem of piracy and illegal fishing could be brought under control if Indonesia and the Philippines conduct joint maritime patrolling.
"Joint maritime patrols by Indonesia and the Philippines can combat piracy and illegal fishing," Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu affirmed.
"However, the idea has yet to materialize," the minister said.
Ryacudu said several countries had already established joint maritime patrols and cited the examples of Japan and China, which conduct joint patrolling respectively with the United States and Malaysia.
Such joint patrols will help secure the Indonesian waters along the borders and ensure proper monitoring.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
