Republic of Indonesia-Philippines Strengthen Border Cooperation and Water Security

Presiden Joko Widodo (kanan) dan Presiden Filipina Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. memberikan keterangan pers di Istana Kepresidenan Bogor, Jawa Barat, Senin (5/9/2022). (Tangkapan layar VIA ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesia and the Philippines have agreed to strengthen cooperation and maritime security in the border area, which was manifested in the signing of a memorandum of understanding witnessed by President Joko Widodo and Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. at the Bogor Palace.

"Strengthening border cooperation, we agreed to review the two border security agreements so that they continue to be relevant to the community," Jokowi said while giving a virtual press statement, as monitored through the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube account reported by ANTARA, Monday, September 5.

Jokowi and Ferdinand agreed to review two border security agreements, namely the revised border crossing agreement and the order patrol agreement.

Indonesia and the Philippines are also committed to accelerating negotiations on the method of delimitation or determining the boundary line in the maritime area based on the 1982 United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

In addition to the two agreements, Jokowi also appreciated the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two countries in the field of defense and security, which was signed by the Indonesian Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto and the Senior Undersecretary Department of the Philippines' National Defense Jose C. Faustino.

In the memorandum of understanding, the two countries encourage strengthening the safety and security of waters in border areas.

The President also appreciated the renewed Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement (TCA) agreement between Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

"Because it is very important in securing waterways from the threat of hostage-taking and kidnapping," said President Jokowi.

Jokowi also mentioned five aspects discussed with Ferdinand, namely increasing potential in the trade sector, infrastructure and strategic industrial cooperation with SOEs, border cooperation, water safety in border areas, and strengthening the centrality of the ASEAN region.