The Australian government has donated some P2.7 million worth of Information Technology (IT) and multimedia equipment to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The donation was coursed under the mutually agreed Australia-Philippines Enhanced Defence Cooperation Program. Among the new equipment were high-tech computers, tablets, storage devices, smart TVs, cameras, and audio recording components.
“With these newly donated IT and multimedia equipment, the AFP will be able to amplify its capability of preventing and countering violent extremism, here in our country,” Sobejana said, adding that the donations will help the military in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the Australian Government and the Australian Defence Force for their continued support to the AFP in the ongoing fight against terrorism. It is through these initiatives that our members become more empowered to fulfil their mandate to secure the state and protect the Filipino people,” he added.
For his part, Australian Defence Attaché Col. Paul Joseph Barta said the donations will help in the prevention and countering of violent extremism through documentation and understanding of the drivers of radicalization and implementation of effective strategies for prevention of violent extremism.
Sobejana said the donation are added measures to strengthen its counter-terrorism capabilities within the cyberspace where access to available information is critical.
"With the new equipment, access and exchange of information among military allies shall be made more available and secured," he said.