Australia will train members of the Philippines army and help country improve intelligence surveillance

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Australia will send mobile training teams to the Philippines within days to assist with urban warfare counter-terrorism operations in the country, the defence minister, Marise Payne, says.



Payne said on Tuesday the Australian defence force would shortly provide “practical training ... which will support the Philippines defence force to be able to counter what are very brutal tactics by terrorists”.

The defence minister said the Australian military had acquired significant skills to counter urban insurgencies in Iraq and Syria, which it was happy to pass on to the military in the Philippines.

As part of a cooperative agreement with the Philippines that underscores Australia’s concern about security developments in the region, Payne said the Australian army would train members of the Philippines army and the marine corps on military bases in the Philippines.

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Australia will enhance intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance in the southern Philippines, and step up maritime patrols, to help combat the activity of groups linked to Islamic State.

The Australian navy will conduct ship visits to the Philippines involving “a range of cooperative activities to support the development of capacity in the Philippines navy”, Payne said, beginning with an Australian patrol boat visit next month.

The new commitments build on support Australia has already provided in the conflict in Marawi. Australian P-3 Orion aircraft have flown surveillance missions gathering intelligence around Marawi over the past few months, supporting the local military.

The aggression of militants in the country has prompted concerns that Islamic State is digging in in south-east Asia as it comes under pressure in Syria and Iraq.