The Philippines will collaborate with Indonesia to enhance Islamic education in the country as part of efforts to counter religious extremism in the aftermath of the occupation of Marawi City by Muslim extremists last year.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Indonesia had offered to share its best practices in Islamic education within the context of regional efforts to prevent the spread of extremism.
Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano called Indonesia “one of the models” of Islamic education that the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations could consider.
While the Philippines and Indonesia have an existing agreement on education, the two nations are discussing another form of cooperation on Islamic education, according to the DFA.
“Our Indonesian friends do not want to see another Marawi happening and are offering to help us counter radicalization through education,” Cayetano said.