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ASEAN to step up measures to combat terrorism

ASEAN to step up measures to combat terrorism

Clark (The Philippines), Oct 24 (UNI) The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) nations have agreed to step up counter-terrorism measures to prevent pro-Islamic State (IS) militants from gaining ground in Southeast Asia. In a joint declaration issued at the end of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM), they stressed the need "to enhance regional cooperation through intelligence and information sharing, increasing surveillance, and promoting awareness among the public about the threat of radicalism." On maritime security, the ministers stressed the need to maintain and promote peace, security, stability, and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea. The 10-member regional grouping comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The ministers also expressed "full support for the Philippines' efforts to address the security and humanitarian situation" in its southern city of Marawi where security forces and pro-IS fighters were locked in a five-month urban warfare that killed over a thousand people. Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced in a press conference on Monday the end of "all combat operations" in Marawi, saying the city has been cleared of terrorists. "In crushing thus far the most serious attempt to export violent extremism and radicalism in the Philippines and in the region, we have contributed to preventing its spread in Asia and give our share to maintaining global peace, stability, and security," Lorenzana was quoted as saying by the Philippines News Agency. The ministers also moved to make the ADMM-Plus dialogue to be held yearly to better address common security challenges confronting Asia and the Pacific. ADMM-Plus is currently being held every two years. ADMM-Plus include ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners - Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States. ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN defense ministers to engage their dialogue partners from Asia and the Pacific. UNI XC-SRJ RSA 1557

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