The United Kingdom (UK) and the Philippines have agreed to work on common security issues, including terrorism, as the British government pledged a bigger and wider support to the country’s overall defense concerns that may very well include maritime security.
The agreement was sealed during the visit of Chris Felton, head of United Kingdom’s Counter Terrorism and Extremism Network (CTEN) for Asia to the headquarters of the Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom).
Felton was received on Wednesday by military officials led by Brig. Gen. Arturo Rojas, deputy commander for external defense of the Westmincom based at Camp Navarro in Calarian, Zamboanga City.
During Felton’s meeting with Rojas, the two officials identified areas where the British government can further assist the Philippines, especially in maritime domain awareness and maritime security, two areas where allies, including the United States have been actively supporting the country.
“They also determined areas of cooperation where the UK government can further support the Philippine government, particularly in maritime domain awareness and maritime security,” said Westmincom’s spokesman Lt. Col. Abdurasad Sirajan.
Sirajan said both officials also discussed military policies, programs and current initiatives on how to better understand “common concerns” between the Philippines and the United Kingdom.
As the head of CTEN for Asia based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Felton liaises with colleagues in the UK posts, in the Asia Pacific and in London to understand the risk of terrorism and work with local partners to reduce it.
Meanwhile, a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group surrendered to soldiers in Basilan.
A 23-year-old ASG member who is a resident of Barangay Silangkum, Tipo-Tipo, Basilan yielded to members of the Bravo Company of the Army’s 18th Infantry Battalion under Col. Cyril Santander.
The terrorist, a member of the group of the late Commander Furuji Indama, turned over a Garand rifle.