Indonesia tightens border security after Philippines liberates Marawi
Indonesian authorities have tightened security in some areas bordering the Philippines and at the Philippine diplomatic mission in Jakarta following Manila's declaration that its southern city of Marawi has been liberated from pro-Islamic State militants.
Hanoi (VNA) - Indonesian authorities havetightened security in some areas bordering the Philippines and at the Philippinediplomatic mission in Jakarta following Manila's declaration that its southerncity of Marawi has been liberated from pro-Islamic State militants.
Indonesia's National Police Chief General TitoKarnavian told a press conference on October 19 that the deaths of IsnilonHapilon and Omarkhayam Maute, as well as the liberation of Syria's northern cityof Raqqa from Islamic State militants by US-backed Syrian forces have taken atoll on the IS terrorist network.
Karnavian warned, however, that the militants who havenot been killed may still try to escape, with as many as 100 militants still atlarge in the southern Philippines. He added that some Indonesians are among thejihadists in Syria and Marawi.
The officer stressed the need to stay alert and worktogether with intelligence counterparts, either those who have intelligenceassets in Syria or in the Philippines to detect whether they are still there orhave returned to Indonesia.
To anticipate their return by sea, he said, militarysoldiers and police have been deployed to border areas.
Karnavian also said that the Indonesian police havealso been trying to determine the reaction of terrorist networks in Indonesiato the liberation of Marawi and whether they will respond by deploying theirmembers to Marawi or retaliate, as happened in 2000 when two people were killedand dozens of others injured, including the ambassador and his driver.
Indonesia has also tightened security at thePhilippine mission in Jakarta both at the embassy and the ambassador'sresidence for the past three months.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared Marawi’sliberation on October 17 after 148 days of fighting Islamic rebelling militantsin the country.-VNA
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines on October 12 launched their coordinated air patrols as part of effort to speed up their fight against Islamic militants, who have besieged Marawi, the southern city of the Philippines.
The two last leaders of a pro-Islamic State (IS) militant group in the southern Philippines, including a top Asian terror suspect, have been killed, according to Philippine security sources.
The government armed forces will liberate the southern Marawi city in a few days, announced General Eduardo Ano, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in a televised press conference on October 16.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on October 17 announced that the government’s armed forces have liberated southern Marawi city after the 148-day clashes against Islamic militants.
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Indonesian police (Source: VNA) 
