PH, Australia to conduct more military exercises

The Philippines and Australia have agreed over the weekend on more training aimed at enhancing the military’s skills in responding to terrorism and disaster.

Australian Minister for Defense Linda Reynolds and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana agreed to raise the level of Operation Augury-Philippines to an enhanced defense cooperation program by Dec. 1.

Operation Augury-Philippines is the Australian defense force’s partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines where they exchange tactics, techniques and procedures in countering urban terrorism.

Reynolds and Lorenzana noted that Operation Augury-Philippines has enhanced the counterterrorism capability of over 10,000 AFP personnel.

Trainings under Operation Augury-Philippines, which started after the Marawi siege, included land-based activities focused on urban combat and joint coordination skills; air training focused on enhancing air coordination in the urban environment and maritime training activities.—JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE