MANILA, Philippines – Nakatakdang magbigay ang Australia ng karagdagang drones at maritime domain awareness-related technology na nagkakahalaga ng P110 milyon para sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
Inanunsyo ito ni outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines HK Yu sa Stratbase ADRI forum sa Makati City. Aniya, ang bagong assistance package ay ipapadala sa mga susunod na taon at kasama rito hindi lamang kagamitan kundi pati ang pagsasanay at integration support.
“Our commitment goes further than physical assets. It also includes operational training, support, and an integration package,” ayon kay 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,” dagdag niya.
Ang tulong na ito ay karagdagan sa P34 milyong halaga ng drones at operator training na ipinagkaloob ng Australia sa PCG kamakailan lamang.
Noong Abril, tinurn over ng Australia ang 20 world-class aerial drones sa Pilipinas bilang bahagi ng kanilang civil maritime cooperation, na may layuning palakasin ang strategic maritime domain awareness capabilities ng PCG. Kabilang din dito ang vessel remediation, postgraduate scholarships, operational training, marine protection, at taunang Law of the Sea courses.
Bukod sa kagamitan, pinaigting ng Canberra ang cyber support nito para sa PCG, Philippine National Police, at iba pang ahensiya, bilang bahagi ng kanilang Southeast Asia and Pacific Cyber Program.
“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,” ayon kay Yu.
Noong nakaraang taon, inanunsyo rin ni Yu na dodoblehin ng Australia ang halaga ng kanilang civil maritime cooperation commitment sa Pilipinas sa P649 million mula 2025 hanggang 2029. Kris Jose
