Australia, Philippines to boost security ties

Australia, Philippines to boost security ties

PHILIPPINES: Australia and the Philippines are to expand security cooperation amid concern over Islamic militants on the island of Mindanao, Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill said on Monday.

Australia and the Philippines will boost intelligence exchanges and maritime surveillance, focusing on the infiltration of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI) militants into Mindanao, Hill told reporters.

Hill met with Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, chief of the Philippine military's southern command, and said there could also be "further training and support for special forces, particularly in long-range reconnaissance work".

He did not give specific details. The United States maintains a team of Special Forces advisers to train Filipino soldiers on Mindanao and nearby islands.

"We are worried about the possible infiltration of JI in the region who work (their way) into the southern Philippines," Hill said. "The group is a threat to the whole region including to ourselves (Australians)."

Australia has been actively helping governments in the region track down members and leaders of JI, which has been blamed for this month's bomb attacks in Bali that left 23 people dead. --AFP