24 February, CANBERRA – National Security Adviser of the Philippines the Honorable Eduardo Año underscored the importance of continued and dynamic collaboration between the Philippines and Australia in preventing and countering violent extremism in the 9th Bilateral Counter-terrorism Consultation held on 23 February in Canberra.

Secretary Año met the Australian delegation led by First Assistant Secretary for International Security Ciara Spencer of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and discussed current threat assessments and emerging challenges in addressing violent extremism and terrorism. This includes online radicalization that particularly targets the youth and the use of cryptocurrencies to fund terrorist operations. Australia acknowledged the significant headways achieved by the Philippines that led to the decline of terrorist threat in the country. Nonetheless, both countries believe that the Philippines and Southeast Asia remain an attractive target in particular to religious-motivated violent extremism and committed to strengthen cooperation.

The successful partnership of the Philippines and Australia on counter-terrorism is a pillar of the robust cooperation of the two countries on defense and security and law and justice. The partnership includes sharing of information and intelligence, capacity-building and trainings and joint exercises. In 2003, the Philippines and Australia signed an MOU to combat international terrorism. -- END