Philippine soldiers in an outskirt of Marawi in southern Mindanao island (Photo: AFP/VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia is readyto help the Philippines fight against terrorism on the southern island ofMindanao, said a Malaysian official.
The offer was made by Malaysian Minister ofDefence Hishammuddin Hussein in a telephone call with his Philippinecounterpart Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana.
The Malaysian official affirmed that hiscountry will not bow down the threats of the Islamic State (IS) and willcontinue working closely with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) toensure that the IS’s desire to set foot and rule the region fails.
He added that military and security forces ofMalaysia will deploy measures to ensure that IS militants cannot enter thecountry.
After a trilateral joint maritime patrol inCelebes and Sulu seas two weeks ago, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippineswill set up a trilateral air patrol, which will be launched at the Subang airbase in Malaysia’s Selangor state, Hussein said.
[Indonesia, Philippines launch joint patrol to tackle IS threat]
The Southeast Asian region has been on alertafter pro-IS gunmen attacked Marawi city on Mindanao island on May 25.Since then, nearly 400 people were killed while over 200,000 residents havefled their home.
The Marawi siege has raised concern that themilitants are trying to build a stronghold in Mindanao island, threatening theregion’s security.-VNA
