JAKARTA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia is ready to discuss a plan for setting up joint special forces to fight the Islamic State (IS) militants and pirates in the region, a government official said on Tuesday.
The plan, which is aimed at combating the IS militants in the borders of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, was initiated by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.
"Indonesia is ready at any time to guard this region," Indonesian Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said.
The official said talks could be undertaken at any time or during the upcoming ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in November in the Philippines, where some of world leaders will also be present.
The three nations have carried out a joint operation to secure waters in their borders from IS fighters and pirates.
Indonesian security authorities revealed that many of the IS militants fighting in Marawi city in southern Philippines have links with extremists in Indonesia.
