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.