Australia to train PH soldiers
Urban warfare, airspace coordination, reconnaissance will be tackled
Australia will train Filipino soldiers in urban warfare to combat the spread of the Islamic extremism after months of fierce fighting against the Maute Group in Marawi City, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday.
Aside from urban warfare, Australia will also help in airspace coordination, maritime operations, among others, he added.
Australia’s commitment to help the Philippines came following Lorenzana’s meeting with Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne at the 4th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) at Clark, Pampanga.
“Truly, the fight against global terror cannot be addressed by one country alone, and we are very much appreciative of Australia’s support for our counter-terrorism program,” Lorenzana said.
“In addition, Australia has already offered to provide trainings based on the Philippines’ needs and Australia’s capabilities. At the outset, this includes airspace coordination, urban
warfare, and maritime operations, among others.”
“Together with Minister Payne, I am confident that the Philippines and Australia will continue to strengthen our defense cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries,” he added.
“The practical training the Australian Defense Force will provide will ensure the Philippines defense force is better able to counter the brutal tactics being employed by terrorists,” Payne said.
“Globally, we have seen the effect of extremist ideology and terrorist threats on millions of civilians and it is alarming to see this disruption come to our region.”
At the height of the Marawi siege, Australia deployed two AP-3C Orion aircraft for surveillance while helping in information-gathering and analysis.
The Philippines and Australia already have extensive Defense Cooperation Program that provides the mechanisms for military support, intelligence sharing, and people to people exchanges.
On Monday, Lorenzana declared victory after a five-month battle in Marawi that claimed more than 1,100 lives and destroyed swathes of the city.
While it ended immediate fears that the Islamic State would establish a Southeast Asian base in Marawi, concerns remain about its longer-term intentions and capabilities for the region.
Australia has experience tackling the group in Iraq and Syria and Payne said it was crucial the Philippines had the know-how to keep extremists at bay now that the key fight had been won.
Payne said the spread of Islamic State (IS)-inspired terrorism was a direct threat to Australia and its interests, and Canberra was determined it “cannot establish a geographic foothold in the region.”
As part of the boosted cooperation, the two sides will also work together to enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in the south.
They will also bolster maritime security engagement and bilateral maritime patrols and co-host a seminar on post-conflict rehabilitation efforts.
AFP welcome’s training Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla welcomed Australia’s help in training Filipino soldiers in urban warfare.
“This is a welcome development because of experiences that we need, because of the kind of combat environment that we need to face in the future such as in Marawi. So learning more about this kind of environment will enhance our capacity and capability,” Padilla said during an interview at the sidelines of the ADMM-Plus.
Padilla said some of the Australian forces task to train Filipino soldiers are already in the country to train their Filipino counterparts.
Padilla said although the AFP doesn’t lack urban warfare training, the need to expand the number of people trained for that is necessary following what transpired in Marawi City.
Padilla said about a battalion of Filipino soldiers will be trained by their Australian counterparts.
Collaboration with US
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Philippines is committed to sustain its alliance with the United States and other foreign allies in battling the global threat of terrorism.
Abella said the government appreciates the US military support to the military in defeating the Maute terror group in Marawi City and would continue such collaboration due to persistent threat from the Islamic State.
“While we have defeated the Maute Group here, it cannot be denied that IS remains a global threat,” Abella said during a Palace press briefing.
“It is therefore necessary for us to continue our cooperation and alliance with our friends in the international community to halt the spread of the IS menace,” he added.
US Defense Secretary James Mattis had earlier congratulated the Philippine military for its success against the Islamic militants in Marawi City. Mattis, who is attending the regional defense meeting in Clark, said it was a “tough fight” and that the Filipino troops sent a “very strong message” to the terrorists.
Reacting to Mattis’ remarks, Abella thanked him for recognizing the “valiant efforts of our troops” in ending the terror siege in Marawi City. He acknowledged that the United States has provided the local military with technical expertise and equipment that bolstered their capability to fight the rebels.
“The government is grateful for the US government for helping us defeat the ambition of the Islamic State affiliated group to establish a caliphate in our country,” he said.
President Duterte had earlier urged the public to remain vigilant and prepared for any eventuality since “terrorism is everywhere.” He said they should exercise caution even though Marawi has been liberated from terrorist influence.
“No nation has escaped from the clutches of the evil of the ISIS. It’s an ideology that is dedicated to just kill human beings and destroy places,” he said. (With a report from Genalyn D. Kabiling)