Southeast Asian countries to jointly patrol piracy-prone waters
The Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia will launch joint patrols in piracy-plagued waters after a series of attacks of Islamic militants to kidnap and murder foreigners.
Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Photo: AFP)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines,Malaysia and Indonesia will launch joint patrols in piracy-plagued waters aftera series of attacks of Islamic militants to kidnap and murder foreigners, saidPhilippine Secretary of Defence Delfin Lorenzana on March 9 at apress conference.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana added that heand his counterparts from Malaysia and Indonesia agreed to patrol a sea lanewhere commercial vessels could pass with protection from the three nations'navies.
The joint patrol will begin in April or May,noted the Philippine Secretary.
The Philippines will purchase equipment to helpthe fight against Abu Sayyaf militant group such as high-speed boats, dronesand radars, as part of the country’s military modernisation programme, headded.
The decision was made after Abu Sayyaf – akidnap-for-ransom network that pledges allegiance to the self-proclaimed IslamicState (IS) group, has been kidnapping sailors on fishing vessels and cargobarges.
Currently, about 31 foreign and local hostagesare held by the Abu Sayyaf. The group has been kidnapping foreigners and localsfor decades and capturing them for ransoms at its remote island posts in southernPhilippines.-VNA
The Indonesian Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DGCE) and the Royal Malaysian Customs Department will organise the 19th Indonesia-Malaysia joint Customs Patrol (Patkor Kasstima).
The Philippine military on February 26 said it has been verifying a claim that a German hostage was killed by the Abu Sayyaf Islamist militant group after authorities failed to pay a ransom on time.
The Philippine army said it has found the body of an elderly German hostage who was murdered by Abu Sayyaf Islamic militants, a local kidnap-for-ransom network.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana (Photo: AFP) 
