
NAKATAKDANG magbigay ang Australia ng P110 milyong halaga ng karagdagang drones at maritime domain awareness-related technology sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Ito ang inanunsyo ni outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu.
Sa pagsasalita sa Stratbase ADRI forum sa Makati City, sinabi ni Yu na ang bagong assistance package ay ihahatid sa mga susunod na taon at isasama hindi lamang equipment kundi pagsasanay din at integration support.
“Our commitment goes further than physical assets. It also includes operational training, support, and an integration package,” ang sinabi ni Yu.
“This capability uplift is another example of Australia’s ongoing commitment to provide tangible assistance to the Philippines to boost its maritime domain awareness,” aniya pa rin.
Ang bagong tulong ay karagdagan sa P34 milyong halaga ng drones at operator training na kamakailan lamang na ay ipinagkaloob ng Australia sa PCG.
Buwan ng Abril, tinurn over ng Australia ang 20 world-class aerial drones sa Pilipinas, mga kagamitan. Umaasa ito na mapalalakas ang ‘strategic maritime domain awareness capabilities’ ng PCG.
Ang drones ay ibinigay bilang bahagi ng civil maritime cooperation ng Canberra kasama ang Maynila, kabilang din ang ‘vessel remediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational training, marine protection, at annual Law of the Sea courses.’
Maliban sa pagkakaloob ng kagamitan, pinaigting ng Canberra ang cyber support nito para sa PCG, tinukoy ang papel bilang isang front-liner hindi lamang sa karagatan kundi maging sa cyberspace ng bansa.
“Through the DFAT’s (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program, we are stepping up cyber capacity building support to the Philippines as a priority partner country,” ang sinabi ni Yu.
“Australia is committed to supporting the PCG, the Philippine National Police, and various other departments as they work to boost their capabilities to mitigate and respond to cyber incidents.” aniya pa rin.
Matatandaang, noong nakaraang taon, inanunsyo ni Yu na magdodoble o dodoblehin ng Australia ang civil maritime cooperation commitment nito sa Pilipinas sa P649 million mula 2025 hanggang 2029. (Daris Jose)