Indonesia has called for joint maritime patrols with the Philippines and Malaysia, after a spate of kidnappings in waters near the southern Philippines by suspected militants.
Around 14 Indonesians and four Malaysians have been abducted in recent weeks by groups with suspected links to Abu Sayyaf bandits.
Indonesian military spokesman Tatang Sulaiman they are trying to set up cooperation on coordinated patrols between Malaysia and the Philippines, adding Indonesia had already sent two warships to the area.
Abu Sayyaf, known for kidnappings, beheadings, bombings and extortion, is one of the most hard line Islamist militant groups in the Philippines.
The Philippine military has said the militants have been targeting foreign crew of slow moving tugboats because they can no longer penetrate resorts and coastal towns in Malaysia’s eastern Sabah state due to increased security.