Jakarta. The Indonesian and Philippine Navies have plan to conduct coordinated joint patrols in an effort to increase border security, according to a high level meeting this week.

“We plan to conduct a joint border patrol, as it is proposed to be held twice a year,” Indonesian Eastern Armada commander Rear Admiral Darwanto said in Surabaya on Thursday (27/10).

During a Wednesday evening session of the Eastern Armada Control, Darwanto said the partnership had been formalized during the 35th Philippines-Indonesia Border Committee Meeting earlier this month.

Patrols will focus on the Sulu Sea borders, between Miangas and the Southern Philippines, which has seen increasing kidnappings of ship crew from Philippine separatist groups.

Both navies will follow up on the partnership with consistent reporting to senior officers, a faster implementation of patrol mechanisms and security and information exchanges.

The Indonesian Navy hosted the meeting this week with the local delegation led by Darwanto and the Philippine group led by Eastern MinCom commander Lt. Gen. Rey Leonard B. Guererro.