Najib said Malaysian authorities can now enter Philippines waters during a hot pursuit and take action against militants. — Reuters pic

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 10 — Malaysian authorities will soon be able to cross into Philippine waters while in “hot pursuit” of militants that have been a bane in Southeast Asia in recent years, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced after meeting with the Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte here today.

A fuller discussion to hammer out the legalities will take place later this month involving the defence ministers from both countries and also Indonesia, which faces a similar predicament.

“We can now go into Philippines waters during a hot pursuit and act on militants by chasing them but we must inform their maritime enforcement agency upon entering their waters,” he told a news conference after meeting Duterte.

A recording of the press conference was made available to Malay Mail Online.

Najib said the defence ministers’ meeting is scheduled for November 22.

“Duterte also expressed his concerns on eradicating kidnapping cases in the southern Philippines and Sabah, and hence the decision, because we cannot just stop [half way] from chasing the bad guys,” he said.

Today’s meeting is Duterte’s second time meeting Najib since taking office in June, but his two-day visit marks his first official trip to Malaysia.

Militants, namely from the Abu Sayyaf terror group, have been kidnapping Malaysians and tourists from Sabah’s east coast — just half an hour’s boat ride away from their southern Philippines hideout — for huge amount of ransoms and have even carried out beheadings.

In response to the growing terror threat, Malaysia set up the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), but the abductions persist.

According to Najib, a total of 10 Malaysians have been abducted and released while five are still held captive.

Najib also said he discussed with Duterte the repatriation of some 7,000 Philippines immigrants in Sabah.

"We have agreed that these Philippines immigrants will be sent back to their home in stages," he said.

Apart from that, Najib said they also discussed on setting up of a Philippines regional office in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah to boost economic ties between both countries.