Rp-Ri Border Crossing Agreement

At the January meeting, the Philippines and Indonesia reaffirmed their mutual understanding of border relations. They agreed to strengthen border crossings, take measures to improve the safe passage of Indonesians and Filipinos between the two countries, and develop recommendations to improve cross-border cooperation and maritime defense. (Id.) In his opening remarks, LTGEN AURELIO B BALADAD, chairman of the Philippine Border Committee, said the conference showed four decades of peaceful and harmonious relations between the two countries. He expressed the hope that the existing 1975 agreements on border management and border crossing would be revised to meet the demands of time. LAKSDA TNI DARWANTO, S.H., M.A.P., Chairman of the Indonesian Border Commission, said the Committee`s discussions are aimed at improving cooperation on border and maritime issues of the world`s two largest island states. The Border Patrol and Communication Sub-Committee discussed the need to consider including civilian maritime police services in the conduct of coordinated patrols, updating the means of communication used in maritime patrols and including other cross-border and organised crimes (drug trafficking and smuggling of migrants) on the list of border offences. The area surrounding the border between the countries was the site of illegal activities such as kidnapping, smuggling, terrorism and piracy. (Gustavo Guerra, Indonesia/Philippines/Malaysia: Agreement on the Patrolling Maritime Border, GLOBAL LEGAL MONITOR (June 30, 2017).) Militants and weapons crossing the border between the Philippines and Indonesia have recently been of particular concern, according to reports. (See z.B Joseph Hincks, Indonesia says it cannot prevent Islamist militants or weapons from crossing its border with the Philippines, TIME (26 April 2017); Richard C.

Paddock, In Indonesia and the Philippines, activists find a common link: ISIS, NY TIMES (May 26, 2017); Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, trial of terrorists in Jakarta sheds light on the trail of weapons from the southern Philippines to Indonesia, STRAITS TIMES (February 2, 2018).) Mindanao`s permeable border is exploited by some trade unions involved in smuggling and human trafficking. In addition to operational issues relating to the improvement of border cooperation, the Committee agreed that the 1975 agreements between the Philippines and Indonesia on border crossing and border patrol should be reviewed and revised in order to adapt them to the current situation, in particular with a view to the signing and early entry into force of the agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia on the delimitation of the territory. economic border, which was signed in May 2014. . . .

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