PUTRAJAYA: The Phillipines government has given the green light to Malaysia and Indonesia to conduct 'hot pursuit' and chase after kidnappers who enter Phillipine waters.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the 'hot pursuit' is a new development agreed by Philippines President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to stop the rampant kidnap-for-ransom activities by Filipino kidnappers, especially along the Sabah coast.
"Philippines has offered a trilateral cooperation to Malaysia and Indonesia to chase after criminals who enter Philippine waters. If the authorities stop the pursuit, the kidnappers may get away.
"If the criminals enter the Philippines maritime boundary, Malaysian or Indonesian authorities only need to inform the Philippine navy in order to continue their pursuit. The Philippine authorities will assist in pursuing the kidnappers.
"The defence ministers of the three countries will meet in Vientiane on Nov 22 to decide on the standard operating procedures," Najib told a press conference after a bilateral meeting with Duterte, here today.
Najib said this is a practical way for the countries to assist each other in addressing the kidnap-for-ransom issues that have affected the people's welfare as well as national security.
Najib said 10 Malaysians have been kidnapped along the Sabah coast so far this year, five of whom are still being held captive.
On another matter, Najib said 7,000 illegal immigrants from the Philippines is set to be deported in stages.