PHL, Malaysia, Indonesia launch air patrol in maritime areas of common concern

Top defense and military officials of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia launched Thursday the Trilateral Air Patrol (TAP) to address security problems in maritime areas of common concern.

Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Major General Restituto Padilla said the program will allow the air assets of the three countries to regularly patrol areas of common concern specially in light of the threat posed by the pro-ISIS group Maute.

He said TAP is expected to boost the earlier agreed Trilateral Maritime Patrol.

"The Trilateral Air Patrol of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines that complements the earlier arrangement for the conduct of the Trilateral Maritime Patrol for the common Area of Maritime Interest among these countries was launched today in Subang Air Base in Malaysia at around 2:30 pm,” he said.

He said Brunei and Singapore sent their representatives to the event as observers.

Padilla said the agreement has designated the area of maritime interest that will be the subject of both maritime and air patrols.

“It will be carried out from designated staging points. Tarakan for Indonesia, Bongao for the Philippines, and Tawau for Malaysia,” he said.

He said each country will take turns in leading the mission through a designated mission commander using host country air assets.

“Air Patrol will be monitored from a maritime coordinating center. A host country will use their air assets with other nations patrol teams aboard. In order to maximize resources from all sides, it will be one side taking on the task one at a time,” he said.

He said the trade passing through the southern seas and maritime areas of common concern amounts to $40 billion dollars annually.  —Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMA News