Australia to help RP in maritime security

SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia will help the Philippines assess its maritime surveillance and response capabilities in a bid to improve security in the region, Defense Minister Robert Hill said yesterday.

The initiative emerged from a two-day security seminar held in Manila this week to examine how Australia could work more closely with the Philippines on strategic maritime security issues, he said.

There will also be a separate assessment of the Philippines’ air-based surveillance and response system.

"The complex challenges in modern maritime security require close working relationships between governments in our region," Hill said.

"This conference has highlighted ways Australia and the Philippines can cooperate to enhance maritime security and is an important step in further developing our defense engagement with the Philippines," he said.

The seminar followed talks between Hill and Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz at the Fourth Asia Security Conference earlier this month.