PH, Indonesia defense chiefs tackle deepening ties

The defense chiefs of the Philippines and Indonesia on Wednesday discussed enhancing their cooperation in different aspects.

In an ambush interview, Philippine Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Indonesian Defense minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin visited Manila for an introductory call.

Among the topics discussed during their meeting are the following:

• Defense industry cooperation
• ASEAN solidarity
• Trilateral arrangement with Malaysia in the southern boundary
• Joint climate change response and enhancement
• Peacekeeping

Teodoro said they talked about the possible partnership of the two countries in producing defense assets.

“Alam naman natin na marami tayong barko na galing sa kanila at eroplano. Ito ang pinag-aaralan natin kung saan tayo pwedeng mag-sanib sa production,” he said.

(We know that we have many ships and aircraft from them. This is what we are studying where we can join in production.)

“Hindi lang iyon, sa iba pang mga bagay kung pwede saan pwedeng mag-sanib sa government-to-government or joint ventures,” he added.

(Not only that, in other things where we can join in government-to-government or joint ventures.)

According to Teodoro, they also tackled the situation in the southern Philippines because Indonesia was part of the peace process in the region with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“Sinabi naman natin ay basically stable now pero kailangan din natin ang tulong ng lahat upang ma-develop din iyong south which will be a key also to continued peace and prosperity,” he said.

(We said it's basically stable now, but we also need everyone's help to develop the south, which will also be a key to continued peace and prosperity.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News