AN Australian warship arrived in Manila last Wednesday for a two-day goodwill visit meant to bolster the relations between the two countries.
The Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class air warfare destroyer HMAS Sydney and its crew were welcomed by a contingent led by Navy Offshore Combat Force chief of staff Cdr. Johanns Cruzada upon arrival at the South Harbor.
“The visit fortifies the strong and long standing relationship between the Philippines and Australia in promoting maritime safety and security in the region,” said Navy spokesman Cmdr. Benjo Negranza.
The Australian ship is under the command of Cdr. Andrew Hough, who later paid Navy chief Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado a courtesy call at the Navy headquarters in Manila.
“Commander Hough spoke with the Navy chief on matters that include Philippine-Australia relations, as well as his role in promoting future collaborations between the two nations,” said Negranza.
Australia and the Philippines signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) in 2007. The agreement was ratified by the Senate five years later.
Australian troops are engaged in small-scale exercises with Filipino troops, with the two countries planning to hold larger exercises similar to those being conducted by Filipino and American forces.
After the siege of Marawi City by the terrorist Maute Group in 2017, nearly a hundred Australian troops were sent to the Philippines to train Filipino soldiers on urban warfare.
In August last year, the armed forces of the two countries signed a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement that provides a framework on logistics support during exercises, training, deployments, and other exigencies.
