RP looking to Australian 'Coast Watch' model

RP looking to Australian 'Coast Watch' model

Agence France-Presse, Manila

Australia's "Coast Watch" system could serve as the Philippines' model for boosting maritime security, both countries said on Friday at the close of two-day defense cooperation talks.

Officials cited the need to boost maritime security in the region, particularly to restrict travel by militants from other parts of Southeast Asia.

"In the Asian region, we're concerned about developments in Indonesia, within the southern Philippines and in southern Thailand," Australian ambassador to Manila Tony Hely said, citing three areas where Muslim militants are active.

"This is an ongoing concern but I think the important thing is that we appreciate and recognize that there is a strong effort by the three governments themselves devoted to eradicating terrorism in those areas."

Philippine Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz said he was impressed by "the Coast Watch of Australia ... an inter-agency effort led by its customs service which includes its coast guard and other agencies."

Cruz said Coast Watch had been successful in guarding the country's long coastline using long-range patrol aircraft, "focusing on areas where there is high risk of (dangerous) elements going into Australia."

"I think it's a good first step for the Philippines in also evolving its own maritime security structure and process.

"In that context ... we are trying to learn from Australia so that we can also have it patterned (after them)," he said.

Australian Assistant Defense Secretary Ben Coleman said the two countries discussed joint activities involving the Philippine Coast Guard, as well as having Filipino navy personnel visit Australia to study the operations of the Coast Watch.

Hely said the two governments agreed Australia would accept 80 more Filipino military and defense personnel for training in the next 12 months.

Coleman described Coast Watch as an organization that works with various Australian government agencies for maritime surveillance in such areas as law-enforcement, customs and fisheries.

Canberra has helped boost Manila's defense capabilities particularly in the areas of counter-terrorism and maritime security, helping train local police and holding regular discussions with local defense officials.

Muslim guerrillas, along with smugglers and illegal migrants often enter and leave the Philippines' porous southern, maritime border at will.