Hanoi (VNA) – Navy forces of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines beganjoint exercises near a military base on Boneo island, northern Indonesia, onJune 19.

Theexercises also marked the launching of their coordinated maritime patrols to intensify thefight against Islamic militants who have laid siege to a southern Philippinecity.

Helicoptersand surveillance planes flew overhead as ministers and army chiefs from thecountries attended a ceremony to launch the patrols. The move came after Islamicmilitants attacked Marawi city on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines.Singapore and Brunei also participated in the event as observers.

Thesame day, Indonesia also inaugurated a navy command centre at the Tarakan base inNorth Kalimantan province on Borneo island. Two other command centres will beestablished in Tawau of Malaysia and Bongao of the Philippines.

Indonesiandefence officers said that the centres will coordinate the joint patrols andshare information, ensuring regional security. A mobile police brigade has alsobeen deployed to northern areas on Sulawesi island to prevent militants fromcrossing the border.

Addressingthe event, Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu stressed thatmaintaining maritime security is the common duty of ASEAN member countries. Indonesia’snavy asked local people, including fishermen, to report any suspects tosecurity forces.

ColonelDidik Krisyanto, commander of the Tarakan air base, said three Sukhoi fightershave been deployed to prevent militants from penetrating into Indonesia.-VNA