The Philippines and Australia recently discussed strengthening defense engagements and cooperation that can be useful in improving the security situation within Zamboanga City and Basilan province.

This comes after Australian Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism Robert John Noble visited the Philippine Army's Western Mindanao Command at Camp Navarro, Calarian in Zamboanga City.

WesMinCom commanderLt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario said that both parties determined areas of cooperation and developed ways to better understand the security situation in Zamboanga City and its nearby provinces.

Australia is eyeing to implement development programs and activities in the area in order to assist the country in its defense and security efforts.

Both countries agreed to strengthen the existing military ties between Australia and the Philippines, which started in 1922 — when Rear Admiral John Saumarez Dumaresq CB CVO, the captain of HMAS Sydney during the last two years of the First World War (1917-1918) and the first Australian born commander of the Australian fleet (1919-1922), was accorded the equivalent of a State Funeral in Manila.

The Australian military involvement in the liberation of the Philippines since June 1943 continued until now with the signing memorandum of understanding on Cooperative Defense Activities on 22 August 1995 — laying the foundation for the Joint Defense Cooperation Committee — which mainly tasks to provide policy direction, coordinate and monitor MoU activities between the two countries.