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