Indonesia, Malaysia Have Right of Hot Pursuit in Philippines

OE Watch Commentary: After a several month battle with pro-Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters in Marawi, Philippines in 2017, the Philippines is now strengthening cooperation with neighbors Indonesia and Malaysia on counter-terrorism. An article in the excerpted Philippine publication, The Star, on 31 January reports that Philippine president Duterte has stated that Indonesia and Malaysia may now cross into Philippine territory to pursue terrorists. Duterte said that it was only necessary that they inform the Philippines before entering its territory. He also said that Philippine forces could join Indonesian or Malaysian forces on such missions.

At the same time the article shows that the arrangement may not yet be fully articulated yet. Duterte, who is known for making bold remarks, also gave advice to Indonesia and Malaysia to just blow up the terrorists. Duterte added that he had run out of patience with Abu Sayyaf, which is the jihadist group that is based in the southern Philippines and that has frequently crossed the maritime borders between the three countries.

Duterte’s statements may need time to be formalized, but they represent a growing trend of regional cooperation in counter-terrorism in Southeast Asia. This is likely one reason why the region has seen relative success in counter-terrorism. End OE Watch Commentary (Zenn)

“I will allow troops of Indonesia and Malaysia to come in if they are pursuing a lead and they think that they are able to defeat terrorists.”

Source: “Indonesian and M’sian troops can enter Philippines to catch terrorists” thestar.com, 31 January 2018. https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/01/31/indonesian-andmsian-troops-can-enter-philippines-to-catchterrorists/#KgOW4ICtCSbHwdxI.99

President Duterte said Indonesian and Malaysian troops can enter the Philippines in pursuit of terrorists. “I will allow troops of Indonesia and Malaysia to come in if they are pursuing a lead and they think that they are able to defeat terrorists. Just inform the Armed Forces about it,” he said. Duterte said the Philippines was even willing to join the foreign troops. He said he had run out of patience, especially regarding the activities of the Abu Sayyaf, a militant-extremist group based in the southern Philippines which has been snatching victims from as far as the Malaysian or Indonesian territories.