PH, Australia strengthen maritime security program
THE top envoy of Australia in Manila and the officials of the Philippine government met yesterday to discuss the proposed Philippine Civil Maritime Security Program (PCMSP) aimed at strengthening Manila’s capabilities to protect its waters.
Australian Ambassador to Manila Steven J. Robinson AO said “so we’ve been talking with a number of different bodies like the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Security Council. We’re keen to commence this as quickly as we can because we think there is significant utility in this for the Philippines particularly on the civil side.”
Robinson earlier met with the Western Command and the Philippine Coast Guard in Palawan where they discussed first-hand the challenges being faced by the law enforcers and how Australia could support them.
“One way is by expanding our engagement on maritime cooperation through a new Philippine Civil Maritime Security Program (PCMSP) which aims to support the Philippines to strengthen its civil maritime security,” he said.
The Ambassador said current discussions are centered on different areas, including the protection of coral and marine resources in the country’s waters and mapping out some of the areas of key importance to Manila in the West Philippine Sea.
Robinson said civil maritime cooperation between Australia and the Philippines will primarily focus on: maritime governance systems, processes, and interagency coordination; marine natural resources management and environment protection; technical assistance, research, and workshops.
