Malaysian Special Forces demonstrate skills in combatting terrorism after a launch ceremony at the Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang, Malaysia, Oct. 12, 2017. Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines on Thursday announced the launch of trilateral air patrol operations over the Sulu Sea to tackle long- festering terrorism and cross-border crime problems. (Xinhua/Chong Voon Chung)
SUBANG, Malaysia/JAKARTA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines on Thursday announced the launch of trilateral air patrol operations over the Sulu Sea to tackle long- festering terrorism and cross-border crime problems.
A launch ceremony was held at the Malaysian Air Force Base in Subang. The operations upgraded a similar joint maritime patrol program starting in June to a new level.
Hishammuddin Hussein, Malaysia's defense minister, said the initiative is aimed at countering movement of violent extremists and terrorists across borders of the three nations, as the Sulu Sea has been used by terrorist organizations as a base of operations.
The trilateral air patrol will adopt a continuous monthly rotation. Malaysia will be the first to lead the operation, followed by the Philippines Air Force and subsequently the Indonesia Air Force.
Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu, who attended the launch ceremony, said in a statement that the patrol is integrated with operation on land.
"This type of cooperation will be integrated with patrol and exercises on land by using a mechanism which has been previously made," Ryamizard said.
