The rise of radicalism and terrorism in the region is now seen as ASEAN’s biggest security threat.

Just as the Philippine government has after five months managed to defeat militant groups aligned with the Islamic State (IS) movement in the city of Marawi, ASEAN countries are agreeing that similar bloodshed could be avoided if they stick together.

During the 11th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting in the northern Philippine city of Clark on Monday, Indonesia proposed the creation of a “mini-Interpol” that would involve six countries in the region sharing intelligence through the “Our Eyes” initiative.

Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said he appreciated the success the Philippine government had flushing the largely foreign fighters out of Marawi, but he saw a potential threat in IS loyalists being able to retreat to neighboring countries to rebuild bases. Multilateral connections between the six countries, he said, would keep the terrorists at bay.

“This preventive measures will provide us with extensive information about the existence of terrorist groups in ASEAN countries. Thus, we can destroy them before they get larger,” Ryamizard told the forum. The six countries proposed are Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and the Philippines.

After months of clashes between IS fighters and the Philippine military that destroyed large parts of Marawi, the southern Philippines has been liberated from terrorism, according to a government official who said the last terrorist had been killed. Delfin Lorenzana, the Philippines’ national secretary of National Defense, said during the opening of the meeting that he had received the report moments before.

“After 154 days of siege in Marawi with the Daesh-inspired Maute-ISIS group, we now announce the termination of combat operations in Marawi city,” Lorenzana said, using two alternative designations for IS.

Popular

Ministry orders remote working for civil servants to help ease traffic congestion

Netanyahu vows victory after Iran strikes, fears of wider conflict grow

18 people killed in South Sulawesi landslide