Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and the Philippines have agreed to increase their joint border security efforts, especially along their marine boundaries, through coordinated patrols.

The coordinated patrols by the two countries` navies have become part of the military cooperation that has gone well so far, Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) spokesman Rear Admiral Iskandar Sitompul after a meeting between TNI commander Admiral Agus Suhartono and Philippine Armed Forces Commander General Eduardo San Lorenzo Oban here on Tuesday.

In the closed-door meeting the two military leaders discussed military cooperation that has gone well so far in the education as well as training and operations especially coordinated patrols on the two countries` sea borders.

The two also discussed military involvement in the handling of victims of natural disasters that have often happened in the two countries.

The two agreed to continue and increase the military cooperation program including exchange of visits, education and training as well as service to service or armed forces to armed forces cooperation programs.

After the meeting the Philippine military commander flanked by the TNI commander paid a courtesy call on the minister of the defense.

General Oban is also scheduled to visit arms industry PT Pindad and aircraft industry PT Dirgantara Indonesia in Bandung, West Java.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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