Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, commanding general of the Philippine Army, discussed over the weekend with his Indonesian counterpart, Gen. Andika Perkasa, wide range of issues of mutual interests, especially on security threats, and in containing the spread of COVID-19.
In a text message, Sobejana described his discussion with Perkasa as a “very fruitful virtual meeting” using the internet technology.
“We discussed matters of mutual concerns, especially in addressing the security threats in the territorial boundaries of the Philippines and Indonesia,” Sobejana said.
The two neighboring countries, both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, are facing terrorist threats by the Abu Sayyaf for several decades now.
Abu Sayyaf terrorists were responsible for several terror attacks in southern Philippines and Indonesia.
The latest twin attacks by the Abu Sayyaf were in Sulu, which killed 11 army soldiers and wounded 14 others, and the killing of a civilian in another terror attack.
One person was killed when Abu Sayyaf members fired on a group of civilians in Patikul, Sulu, the military reported.
Sobejana is a veteran in combat against the Abu Sayyaf. Sobejana is a medal of valor awardee, the highest award by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, given to a soldier for gallantry in combat.
During his virtual meeting with Gen. Perkasa, Gen. Sobejana said they discussed how to stop the spread of the deadly COVID-19 in their respective countries.