RP, Australia vow to boost defense ties

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines and Australia have agreed to boost defense ties and have enumerated areas where they can enhance cooperation, the Department of National Defense (DND) said yesterday.

In a statement, DND said these topics were tackled during the 9th Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and Defense Cooperation Working Group meetings held from Oct. 20 to 21.

Leading the Philippine delegation was Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo Batino, while the Australian contingent was headed by Defense Assistant Secretary Martin Kennedy.

The Philippines served as the host of the meetings.

The DND said the two countries discussed prospective areas of further defense cooperation namely maritime security, peacekeeping operations, and counter-terrorism.

“Both parties shared their insights and preliminary strategies on how to best address the two countries’ shared security concerns,” the DND said.

The DND said the two countries also acknowledged the importance of the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) signed in 2007.

The agreement has yet to be ratified by the Philippine Senate.

It would allow visiting forces to temporarily use land and sea areas of the receiving country for combined training, exercises or other activities agreed upon by the two parties.

Visiting forces are directed to respect the law of the receiving country in conducting the military exercises.

“Both countries (Philippines and Australia) expressed their optimism and willingness to ensure that the proposed courses of actions agreed by both parties will be realized,” the DND said.

“Both also reaffirmed their commitment in strengthening Philippines-Australia defense cooperation.”

The JDCC was established under the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation inked by the Philippines and Australia in 1995.

The committee provides policy direction to the working group, which initiates and monitors defense cooperation activities between the two countries.