Published: 8:05pm, 20 Jun, 2016 Updated: 2:54pm, 20 Jul, 2018
Indonesia , Malaysia and the Philippines have agreed to co - ordinate activity in an attempt to counter Abu Sayyaf . The Islamist extremist group has been responsible for a spate of kidnapping and boat hijackings , resulting in the recent death of two of its Canadian hostages after Canada refused to pay their ransoms . No cross - border agreement has been signed because the three sides are concerned for the new Philippine administration is waiting to be installed . The meeting of defence ministers on 20 June followed a similar one last month between the countries ’ prime ministers , in which efforts were made to tackle the threat that Abu Sayyaf poses . This latest round of talks highlighted the need for collective responsibility to address these issues .