Indonesia tightens border security after Philippines liberates Marawi

Hanoi (VNA) - Indonesian authorities have tightened security in some areas bordering the Philippines and at the Philippine diplomatic mission in Jakarta following Manila's declaration that its southern city of Marawi has been liberated from pro-Islamic State militants.

Indonesia's National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian told a press conference on October 19 that the deaths of Isnilon Hapilon and Omarkhayam Maute, as well as the liberation of Syria's northern city of Raqqa from Islamic State militants by US-backed Syrian forces have taken a toll on the IS terrorist network.

Karnavian warned, however, that the militants who have not been killed may still try to escape, with as many as 100 militants still at large in the southern Philippines. He added that some Indonesians are among the jihadists in Syria and Marawi.

The officer stressed the need to stay alert and work together with intelligence counterparts, either those who have intelligence assets in Syria or in the Philippines to detect whether they are still there or have returned to Indonesia.

To anticipate their return by sea, he said, military soldiers and police have been deployed to border areas.

Karnavian also said that the Indonesian police have also been trying to determine the reaction of terrorist networks in Indonesia to the liberation of Marawi and whether they will respond by deploying their members to Marawi or retaliate, as happened in 2000 when two people were killed and dozens of others injured, including the ambassador and his driver.

Indonesia has also tightened security at the Philippine mission in Jakarta both at the embassy and the ambassador's residence for the past three months.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi’s liberation on October 17 after 148 days of fighting Islamic rebelling militants in the country.-VNA