By Cleizl Pardilla / PTV News
The Australian government has reaffirmed its commitment to further intensifying defense cooperation with the Philippines this year and pursuing broader efforts to strengthen regional security ties, as both countries mark the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
Canberra seeks to help enhance Manila’s capability to operate from its own military bases and support the continued development of infrastructure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). This also includes the provision of advanced technologies aimed at improving maritime domain awareness.
Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown underscored their country’s commitment, saying, “AU$1 million worth of drones last year. We made a commitment to provide another AU$3 million worth of drones and underwater technologies.”
Innes-Brown also emphasized that joint activities will continue, stating, “We will continue to have maritime cooperative activities and we continue to conduct exercises, whether here or in Australia. Australia will be participating at Balikatan again this year.”
There’s a range of practical training and exercises as well as public statements where necessary when we are confronted with, or you’re confronted with, jointly or individually, confronted concerning behavior in the South China Sea area.”
About 95% of trade between Australia and the Philippines passes through sea lanes, highlighting the strategic importance of the South China Sea, not only for the region but for the global economy.
Australia likewise reiterated its support for the Philippines’ position on freedom of navigation and expressed hope for the conclusion of a strong and high-quality Code of Conduct in the South China Sea anchored in international law.
“We hope it’s going to be a high-quality agreement, and hopefully it reinforces the centrality of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) in terms of resolving maritime issues. So that’s what we’re hoping for, but we’re waiting to see how it evolves,” the Australian Ambassador said.
As host and chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, the Philippines is pushing for the conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to preserve stability and maintain peace across the region.
—bjlc/jpv
