Indonesia Deploys Fighter Jets To Guard Against Fleeing Maute Rebels

Three Sukhoi fighter jets were deployed at an airbase in Borneo to boost security in case fleeing Islamist extremists who attacked Marawi City in Lanao del Sur in the Philippines try to escape to Indonesia.

According to Reuters, Colonel Didik Krisyanto, Head of Tarakan Airfield located in the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan, said three Sukhoi fighter jets arrived last Friday, June 16, and would remain in the airfield in the event that Maute Group rebels might cross the maritime border to Indonesia.

“The militants might flee the Philippines and be forced to cross the border to Indonesia,” said Colonel Didik Krisyanto.

Local residents and fishermen in border areas facing the Philippines were also asked by Indonesian naval authorities to be on the lookout for suspicious people trying to cross the border and report them to local authorities.

Source: Reuters