The Department of National Defense on Monday began its hosting of the 23rd Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Joint Working Group meeting on the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement.

The TCA, which was held at a hotel in Makati City, is focused on exploring ways forward to further enhance the trilateral cooperation among Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines — with a primary aim to build on previous discussions in the implementation of the 2016 TCA.

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the meeting targets to address security issues in maritime areas of common concern to the three countries.

"The 23rd INDOMALPHI JWG Meeting marks the DND's first in-person hosting of the INDOMALPHI JWG meetings since the pandemic," Andolong said. 

"Welcoming the resumption of in-person activities, the Trilateral Maritime Patrol Sub-Working Group and the Intelligence SWG convened to deepen collaboration through trilateral maritime and air patrols as well as information sharing in line with the provisions of the TCA," he added.

During the meeting, the countries highlighted that "no kidnap-for-ransom activities" were reported in their Area of Maritime Interest as of November this year.

There has been a significant decline in kidnapping incidents since the TCA was put in place.

Andolong said the three delegations underscored that maintaining connectivity among command centers was critical in maintaining the safety and security of the AMI. 

In addition to sustaining continued coordination, the meeting also encouraged enhanced intelligence sharing with an emphasis on secured communications.

"The meeting concluded with the three co-chairs agreeing to continue discussions on the details of upcoming activities in the next JWG meeting in 2024," Andolong said.

The Philippine delegation consisted of representatives from the DND, Department of Foreign Affairs, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police and the National Coast Watch Center.