INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, PHILIPPINES ENHANCE COOPERATION IN COUNTERTERRORISM by Fardah

 Jakarta, June 23, 2017 (Antara) - The neighboring countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines have agreed to collaborate to address the common threats of terrorism and violent extremism confronting the region, as terrorism is an extraordinary crime that transcends borders.

        The nations are committed to effectively addressing existing and emerging transnational challenges and threats that have the potential to undermine the stability and well-being of countries in the region.

        The commitment was stated in a joint statement issued during the Trilateral Meeting on Security held in Manila on June 22, 2017, and attended by Indonesia's Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Hj. Aman, and Filipino Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter S. Cayetano.

        During the meeting, the ministers raised concerns over the recent incidents of terrorism and violent extremism in their countries and reaffirmed their commitment to working together to jointly develop and implement counterterrorism measures and strategies.

        They deliberated and agreed to task their senior officials to consider the proposed plan of action, in the context of several measures and to report thereon at their next meeting.

        The measures include enhancing efforts and cooperation to address the root causes and underlying conditions of extremism, including those not limited to poverty, narcotics or illegal drugs, crime, and social injustice.

D-G-B RO-RO SHIPPING SERVICE TO BOOST BILATERAL TRADE by Fardah

Jakarta, May 1, 2017 (Antara) - April 28, 2017, was a historic day for Indonesia and the Philippines as President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte launched the Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ferry service that connects Davao and General Santos in the Philippines with Bitung in Indonesia's North Sulawesi Province.

         The connectivity is expected to help boost trade and people-to-people contact between the two neighboring countries in particularly and to promote economic development in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), in general.  
    The Davao-General Santos-Bitung (D-G-B) route serviced weekly by the M/V Super Shuttle RoRo 12 cuts travelling time from Davao to Bitung from five weeks to two and a half days, excluding port stay.

          Operated by the Asian Marine Transport Corp., the vessel can load up to 500 twenty-footer containers of cargo.

         The new route will also lower freight costs to ¿35 thousand (US$700) per 20-foot container from the ¿100 thousand ($2,000) of the Davao-Manila-Jakarta route, Inquirer.Net (globalnation.inquirer.net) wrote.

         During his remarks, Jokowi expressed his optimism over the new shipping route that provides faster and cheaper transportation services for people and goods.

       Jokowi believed that the Ro-Ro ferry service would provide new opportunities and businesses for people of both countries.

          Therefore, he expressed his appreciation to Duterte for his commitment toward the shipping service.

          "I would like to express my greatest gratitude to Duterte for his extraordinary commitment in realizing the route," Jokowi remarked.

RO-RO FERRY SERVICE TO BRING INDONESIA, PHILIPPINES CLOSER By Fardah

Jakarta, April 30, 2017 (Antara) - A Roll on-Roll off (Ro-Ro) ferry service to be officially launch by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao, the southern Philippines, on April 30, is to improve connectivity between the two neighboring countries.

         The Ro-Ro shipping service connecting Davao and General Santos in the Philippines with Bitung in Indonesia's North Sulawesi Province, will provide faster and cheaper transportation services for people and goods.

         Better connectivity between Indonesia and the Philippines is part of the development agenda of boosting connectivity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), that groups Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

          Prior to the inauguration of the new shipping service, Indonesia's Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi signed a joint declaration with his Filipino counterpart Arthur P. Tugade on boosting sea connectivity.

          The signing of the declaration was witnessed by President Jokowi and President Duterte during the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit in Manila, the Philippines on April 28.

         In fact, the route is part of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-EAGA vision for 2025, with the goal to develop the sub-region in seven to 10 years.

         Minister Sumadi stated that the implementation of the sea connectivity project is important to Indonesia, as it will help to establish new sea and trade routes.

           "The connectivity will offer a huge opportunity for both countries in terms of boosting economy, reducing travel time, as well as offering higher potential to increase trade," Minister Sumadi said.

        It will also support the president's national priority program to transform the Bitung Harbor into an international hub, he noted.

JOINT PATROL CRUCIAL TO PREVENT RECURRENCE OF HOSTAGE-TAKING INCIDENTS by Fardah

Jakarta, July 13, 2016 (Antara) - With hostage-taking incidents happening repeatedly along the maritime borders shared by Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, the Indonesian government has called for a trilateral joint patrol to prevent and pre-empt such misadventures.

         So far, 24 Indonesian sailors have been taken hostage in five separate incidents since March this year, reportedly by Filipino separatist group led by Abu Sayyaf. 
    Of these 24 hostages, 14 were released safely and peacefully. While ten were freed on May 1 after being in captivity since March 26, 2016, four, who were abducted on April 15, 2016, were set free by the same group on May 11.

         Ten Indonesians are still being held captive by the kidnappers hiding in southern Philippines.

         Seven of them, all crew members of Tugboat Charles 001 and Barge Robby 152, were abducted in two incidents, of which the first occurred on June 20, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. local time and another at 12:45 p.m. local time in the Sulu Sea while they were on their way back after delivering coal to the Philippines. 
    Three others were kidnapped in the latest incident on July 9, aboard a Malaysian-flagged trawler LLD113/5/F in the Felda Sahabat waters, Tungku, Lahad Datu, Sabah State, Malaysia. 

MILITARY OPERATION TO BE FINAL OPTION TO FREE INDONESIAN HOSTAGES by Fardah

Jakarta, July 12, 2016 (Antara) - In the last five months, Indonesia's government has faced five hostage-taking incidents involving 24 Indonesian sailors being kidnapped by a Filipino separatist group Abu Sayyaf in the maritime borders of the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

       The government is contemplating several options to handle the hostage crisis but has ruled out paying ransom. Meanwhile, the use of military operation will be the last resort.

         So far, 14 teen hostages have been freed peacefully and safely, while 10 are now still held captive by the kidnappers hiding in the southern Philippines.   
     Of the 14 freed sailors, 10 were released on May 1 after being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group since March 26, 2016, while the four others abducted since April 15, 2016, were set free by the same group on May 11.

          Later, seven Indonesian ship crew members of Tugboat Charles 001 and Barge Robby 152 were abducted in two incidents, with the first occurring on June 20, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. local time and another at 12:45 p.m. local time in the Sulu Sea while they were on their way back after delivering coal in the Philippines.

         The latest hostage-taking incident occurred on July 9, aboard a Malaysian-flagged trawler LLD113/5/F in the Felda Sahabat waters, Tungku, Lahad Datu, Sabah State, Malaysia.

        When the incident happened, the vessel had aboard four Indonesian crew members and three Filipinos of the Bajau Palauh tribe.

        Of the vessel's seven crew members, three, all Indonesians, were kidnapped, while four others were released.

THIRD HOSTAGE CRISIS FORCES INDONESIA TO BAN PHILIPPINE-BOUND SHIPS by Fardah

Jakarta, June 29, 2016 (Antara) - Since March this year, Indonesia has faced three hostage incidents in the waters of southern Philippines, with the two earlier crises ending peacefully as 14 Indonesians were released safely.

         Ten Indonesian boat crew members were released on May 1 after being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group since March 26, 2016, while the four others held captive since April 15, 2016, were set free by the same group on May 11.

          In the latest crisis, seven Indonesian ship crew members of Tugboat Charles 001 and Barge Robby 152 were abducted in two incidents, with the first occurring on June 20, 2016, at 11:30 a.m. local time and another at 12:45 p.m. local time in the Sulu Sea while on their way back from the Philippines after delivering coal cargo.

        When the incident occurred, the vessels were carrying 13 crew members, but six of them and the ships were released.  
    According to a media report, one of the hostages recently called his wife and informed her that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Rp20 million ringgits, or some Rp60 billion, and had threatened to kill the hostages if it was not paid.

CLOSER TRADE TIES BETWEEN INDONESIA AND PHILIPPINES by Fardah

Jakarta, June 22, 2016 (Antara)- Indonesia and the Philippines, as immediate neighboring countries, have many to offers in the fields of among other things trade, culture and security.

         In fact, the Philippines is indeed a significant trade partner as its contributed around US$2.3 billion in trade surplus to Indonesia last year.

         Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines Johny J Lumintang said recently that the surplus was the third largest for Indonesia in its international trade.

         Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority revealed that the country's imports from Indonesia during the period between January and December 2015 stood at $2.927 billion, while exports to Indonesia were only valued at $628.2 million.

         However, the figures declined from the previous year when Philippines' imports and exports from and to Indonesia reached $3.037 billion and $759.658 million, respectively.

         Three major Indonesian products imported by the Philippines, include automotive, coal, and coffee, with total values of $619.8 million, $519.4 million, and $208.6 million, respectively.

         There are great demands for coal for Filipino power plants, the diplomat said.

AFTER HOSTAGE CRISIS GETS HAPPY ENDING, SECURITY BECOMES PRIORITY by Fardah

Jakarta, May 14, 2016 (Antara) - The hostage crisis in which 14 Indonesian sailors were held by Abu Sayyaf group finally ended peacefully as they were released safe and sound.

         The hostages were released in two stages, and came as a big relief to the Indonesian government as also to the  families of hostages.

         Ten Indonesian boat crew members were released on May 1 after being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group since March 26, 2016, while the four others held captive since April 15, 2016, were set free by the same group on May 11.

         "Thank God, the four Indonesian citizens, who were held hostage by the armed group, have been released," President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated at a press conference on May 11.

         They have been released, thanks to good cooperation between the Philippines and the Indonesian governments, according to the president, with Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Gatot Nurmantyo flanking him.    
    President Jokowi revealed that both formal and informal approaches were deployed to secure the release of the abducted Indonesians.

         Following the release of the first lot, Indonesia initiated a trilateral meeting, together with Malaysia and the Philippines, to discuss security measures along maritime borders of the three neighboring countries.

INDONESIA FACES FRESH HOSTAGE CRISIS AS FOUR MORE SAILORS KIDNAPPED by Fardah

Jakarta, April 16, 2016 (Antara) - With the Indonesian authorities still struggling to secure the release of the 10 sailors kidnapped by the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf group, the nation is now facing yet another hostage crisis in which four more Indonesians were abducted in the Malaysia-Philippine maritime border waters.          The four Indonesian crew members were kidnapped on April 15 at 6:31 pm local time when unidentified pirates tried to hijack two Indonesia-flagged boats, tugboat TB Henry and Barge Christi.         The two boats were on their way from Cebu, the Philippines, to Tarakan, North Kalimantan, when the hijacking occurred, the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement in Jakarta, on April 16.        The boats carried 10 Indonesian crew members. Of the 10, one was shot, five managed to escape, and four were abducted by the pirates.        The injured crew member was rescued by the Malaysian Maritime Police and taken to Malaysia for medical treatment. He is in a stable condition, according to the ministry.          The five crew members, who had escaped the kidnapping, and the two boats were also taken by the Malaysian police to Lahat Datu seaport, Malaysia.         The ministry is currently communicating with the managements of the companies which own the boats, as also with the authorities of Malaysia and the Philippines, to seek details about the piracy incident and coordinate measures to ensure release of hostages.

INDONESIA PRIORITIZES SAFETY OF SAILORS HELD HOSTAGE BY ABU SAYYAF by Fardah

Jakarta, April 9, 2016 (Antara) - The Indonesian government has been carrying out a peaceful approach it its attempt to free 10 sailors being held hostage by the Abu Sayyaf group in the Philippines.          The safety of the hostages is the government's priority, the foreign ministry has stated.          "We never talk about the deadline. Our focus is to save the 10 Indonesians no matter when and how long it takes," Arrmanatha Nasir, spokesman of the foreign ministry, said in Jakarta, April 8.         Every effort to secure the release of the hostages was "well monitored," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said earlier, and added that Jakarta had intensified its coordination with Manila authorities.        She had received valid information that the 10 Indonesians, kidnapped in waters near the Philippines on March 28, 2016, were in good condition, she also revealed.         Various media reports have stated that the deadline for ransom had been set for May 8, but the ministry denied of having known nor mentioned about the deadline.          The Abu Sayyaf group has demanded a 50 million peso ransom, or about Rp14.2 billion.

13 pelukis perempuan Filipina pameran di Jakarta

oleh Fardah

Rabu, 10 Desember 2014 19:24 WIB | 2.404 Views

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Sebanyak 13 perempuan Filipina yang tinggal di Indonesia menggelar pameran lukisan bertajuk "The 10th Anniversary Exhibition: The Filipino Women for Art" di Duta Fine Arts Gallery, Kemang Utara, Jakarta Selatan, 9-16 Desember 2014.

"Tujuh lukisan saya ikut dipamerkan. Saya sudah menghasilkan lebih dari 150 lukisan," Noreen M. Flores, salah satu peserta pameran dan pendiri perkumpulan "Filipino Women for Art", mengatakan di Jakarta, Rabu.

Pameran itu memajang 50 lukisan karya Maria Lucia Sibuyo, Joy de Leon, Analyn Fumar, Maria Roselita Fernandez, Cean de Vries, Irish Carcia, Karina De Leon, Tess Pantoja, Tenette Peralta Racho, Joycelyn Armedi Enerio, Noreen M. Flores, Nonthe Ticoalu, dan Connie Nartates.

Painting Exhibition Organized By 13 Filipino Women in Jakarta

by Fardah

Jakarta (Antara) - Thirteen Filipino women residing in Indonesia are holding a painting exhibition titled, "The 10th Anniversary Exhibition: The Filipino Women for Art" at the Duta Fine Arts Gallery, Kemang Utara, South Jakarta, on December 9-16, 2014.

"Seven paintings of mine are on display. I have created over 150 paintings so far," Noreen M. Flores, one of the female painters and the founder of the Filipino Women for Art, stated here on Tuesday.

The exhibition displays some 50 paintings by Maria Lucia Sibuyo, Joy de Leon, Analyn Fumar, Maria Roselita Fernandez, Cean de Vries, Irish Carcia, Karina De Leon, Tess Pantoja, Tenette Peralta Racho, Joycelyn Armedi Enerio, Noreen M. Flores, Nonthe Ticoalu, and Connie Nartates.

INDONESIAN, FILIPINO BUSINESSMEN ENCOURAGED TO "RE-DISCOVER" ENDURING TIES by Fardah

  Jakarta, Nov 29, 2014 (Antara) - Sixty five years ago, the Philippines opened a consulate in Jakarta, and soon Indonesia followed the move by establishing a consulate in Manila,  to mark the official diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries.

         "For 65 years, our two countries have never gone through any serious misunderstanding. This says much about the friendly neighborliness that we have sustained since the start of our official ties in 1949," Roberto G Manalo, Charge d'Affaires of the Philippines Embassy in Jakarta said in his opening remarks in Investment Conference 2014 themed "The Philippines and Indonesia at 65:Partners in Growth" organized by the embassy on Nov. 27, 2014.

          Indonesia and the Philippines are perfect to be partners in business, but in reality it has not been the case, as the statistic shows that bilateral trade and investment value is very low, according to him.

65 TAHUN HUBUNGAN INDONESIA-FILIPINA MITRA DALAM PERTUMBUHAN Oleh Fardah

    Jakarta, 28/11/2014 (Antara) - Pada 24 November 1949, 65 tahun yang lalu, Filipina membuka kantor konsulatnya di Jalan Imam Bonjol, Jakarta, yang menandai terjalinnya hubungan diplomasi resmi kedua negara dan tak lama kemudian Indonesia pun membuka konsulat di Manila.

         Kedua bangsa memiliki sejumlah kesamaan secara historis, etnis, budaya, geografis dan ekonomi yang merupakan aset yang dapat dikembangkan bagi kesejahteraan rakyat masing-masing negara.

         "Filipina selalu menghargai hubungan bilateral dengan Indonesia. Selama 65 tahun menjalin hubungan diplomatik, tidak pernah terjadi kesalahpahaman yang serius antara Indonesia dan Filipina," kata  Kuasa Usaha Filipina di Jakarta, Roberto C. Manalo pada acara "Konperensi Investasi 2014 antara Filipina dan Indonesia @65: Mitra dalam Pertumbuhan" yang diselenggarakan di Jakarta, 27 November 2014.

INDONESIA, PHILIPPINES AGREE TO INTENSIFY BILATERAL COOPERATION by Fardah

     Jakarta, May 29, 2014 (Antara)  - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's two-day state visit to Manila, on May 22-23, 2014, his first since holding office in 2004, coincided with the 65th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the Philippines.

        During the bilateral meeting held in Malacanang Palace, on May 23, Yudhoyono and his host, President Benigno Aquino III agreed to further strengthen and foster relations between both countries not only in the field of political and economic cooperation but also agreed to boost people-to-people contact between the two countries.

INDONESIA SHOWS SOLIDARITY TOWARDS TYPHOON-HIT PHILIPPINES by Fardah

Jakarta, Nov 15, 2013 (Antara) - Indonesia, which is a disaster-prone country, has shown solidarity towards the Philippines, a fellow ASEAN member nation battered by super Typhoon Haiyan, by providing assistance worth US$2 million.       Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono made a symbolic presentation of the assistance to Filipino Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Rosario C. Aguinaldo in Jakarta on November 13.

INDONESIA, FILIPINA MILIKI LANDASAN KUAT UNTUK TINGKATKAN KERJASAMA BILATERAL

    Davao City, 15/1/1996 (ANTARA) - Selain prinsip bertetangga baik, hubungan bilateral Indonesia dan Filipina memiliki landasan yang kuat, yang harus diisi dan dapat dikembangkan untuk meraih keuntungan yang sebesar-besarnya bagi masyarakat dan bangsa kedua negara.
        Landasan-landasan yang kuat tersebut antara lain keterlibatan Filipina dan Indonesia dalam kerjasama regional ASEAN, BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia Pilipina - East ASEAN Growth Area), kata Duta Besar RI untuk Filipina, A.Hartono, Minggu malam di depan sekitar 200 masyarakat Indonesia di Davao City dan sekitarnya

INDONESIA, FILIPINA AKAN TANDATANGANI KERJASAMA INFORMASI I

    Manila, 18/5/1995 (ANTARA) - Pemerintah Indonesia dan Filipina akan melakukan kerjasama di bidang informasi khususnya untuk pelatihan aspek teknis informasi, kata Menteri Penerangan Filipina, Jesus C. Sisau, di Manila, Kamis.
        "Teman baik saya, Menteri Penerangan Indonesia Harmoko akan menandatangani (perjanjian kerjasama tersebut) untuk mewakili Pemerintah Indonesia. Kami memandang kerjasama ini sangat berguna bagi rakyat Filipina maupun Indonesia," ujar Menteri Sisau.