MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) — Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense ministers launched on Tuesday, October 24, a direct communications infrastructure that will allow them to communicate rapidly and orderly in a secure hotline during emergencies.
The launch was done at the 4th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Clark, Pampanga which aims to promote good response operation within the regional community.
During the launch, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, current chairman of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting, together with Brunei’s Minister of Energy and Industry, presented the key management system of the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure for its official launch.
The launch of the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure was also witnessed by the other Defense Ministers’ of counterpart countries from Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Russia.
These countries are also the dialogue partners of the ASEAN.
Brunei envisioned this initiative in the 2013 ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting.
In a video presentation during the launch, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah cited the need to address the security challenges afflicting the region.
“In my view, it is important to have in place practical procedures which could assist in avoiding undesired incidents at sea. For instance, if there is a major storm, fishermen may need them to take temporary shelters in disputed areas. Such innocent incidents may be misinterpreted and therefore, it would be appropriate to establish procedures for example, having a hotline to avoid misunderstanding,” Bolkiah said in the video presentation.
The ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure was adopted by ADMM to prevent and defuse misunderstanding and misinterpretations and therefore, prevent unnecessary incidents that would escalate to tensions.
The combined efforts of the ASEAN member-states culminated with the signing of the contract for ASEAN direct communications infrastructure in November 2015.
In 2016, the standard operating procedure was endorsed for the establishment of ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure which is considered vital in practical defense cooperation. (with a PIA report)