Aussie, Philippines defense execs meet today to deepen cooperation

MANILA, Philippines — The defense ministers of the Philippines and Australia will meet in Canberra today for the inaugural Australia-Philippines Defense Ministers’ Meeting, which aims to deepen defense cooperation.

The Department of Defense of Australia announced yesterday that Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles would host Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for the inaugural meeting.

Australia and the Philippines support a secure and stable region where sovereignty is respected, international law is adhered to and nations can make decisions free from coercion.

During the meeting, Marles and Teodoro will discuss opportunities for Australia and the Philippines to deepen defense cooperation, including through military exercises, regular maritime cooperative activities and multilateral coordination.

“I am honored to welcome Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. to Canberra for our inaugural Defense Ministers’ Meeting. Australia and the Philippines have a shared commitment to regional security and we have a common vision for the region, where sovereignty is upheld,” Marles said.

“I look forward to discussing ways to deepen defense cooperation, including through our Enhanced Defense Cooperation Program, to build capacity and strengthen interoperability,” he added.

Cooperation between Australia and the Philippines on strategic and security matters is underpinned by the memorandum of understanding on cooperative defense activities and to combat international terrorism, and the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement.

Australia has significant interest in building the capacity of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as a force that can manage its own security, deter coercion and address the threat of terrorism.

The Enhanced Defense Cooperation Program established in 2019 sets the Philippines-Australia defense relationship on a long-term trajectory for closer engagement, with a focus on military professionalism, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and maritime security.

Philippine Army and Australian Army troops strengthened interoperability as they wrapped up Exercise Kasangga in a closing ceremony at Camp Elias Angeles, Pili, Camarines Sur last Friday.

Acting Philippine Army chief Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid commended the nearly 300 Philippine Army and Australian Army training participants for their active involvement and dedication in sharing their skills and knowledge.

Brig. Douglas Pashley, commander of the 1st Combat Brigade of the Australian Army, highlighted the strengthened cooperation and mutual learning between the two forces during the bilateral training exercise.

Filipino ground troops and their Australian counterparts trained in various warfighting operations and exchanged civil-military operations techniques during the month-long exercise.

The combined exercise covered critical areas such as urban operations, close combat techniques, combat shooting, tactical casualty care, explosive assault breaching, cyber security operations and mortar gunnery with forward observers.

‘Deeply concerned’

Meanwhile, the Australian government condemned China’s destabilizing and unacceptable conduct in the South China Sea.

In its statement on a pattern of dangerous actions in the South China Sea, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that Australia is deeply concerned by a series of dangerous and aggressive actions by China against the Philippines.

Canberra urged China to cease these actions, resolve disputes peacefully and adhere to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and conventions on the prevention of collisions at sea.