Australia, Philippines enhance anti-terrorism cooperation

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) informed that it will expand assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in a bid to strengthen its long-term ability to combat terrorist threats and prevent the spread of Daesh to Australia.

According to Marise Payne, Minister for Defence Senator, ADF mobile training teams will start providing urban warfare counter-terrorism training in the Philippines in the coming days.

As part of Australia’s and the Philippines’ cooperation, defence forces will also work together to strenghten intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in the southern Philippines, as well as enhancing maritime security engagement and maritime patrols between the two countries.

The agreement comes after five months of fierce fighting in the Southern Philippines city Marawi, which was seized by Daesh-aligned terrorists in May.

    Minister Payne said: “The practical training the ADF will provide will ensure the Philippines defence force is better able to counter the brutal tactics being employed by terrorists.”

Minister Payne and Philippines Secretary for National Defense Delfin Lorenzana confirmed the arrangements during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting‑Plus in the Philippines.

The Australia and the Philippines defence relationship is long-standing and supported by a comprehensive Defence Cooperation Program, a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement and regular bilateral and multilateral training, education and counter-terrorism exercises.