The Philippines and Australia have joined hands to ensure a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific as the two sides expressed the importance of their role as maritime nations.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Australian Prime Minister Antony Albanese jointly declared their commitment to maintain that freedom of navigation and overflight in the regional waters is respected, in line with international law.
During Albanese's visit to Manila on Friday, the two leaders signed a joint declaration, where they reiterated, among other pledges, to continue with their plan to conduct joint patrols in the South China Sea—a highly contested area at risk of geopolitical tension—to secure the waters against aggressors.
"We will plan bilateral joint patrols in the South China Sea and in areas of mutual interest to support regional peace and stability," they said.
Marcos and Albanese said both countries would strengthen their bilateral cooperation to discuss maritime policy-making, administration, security, and law enforcement agencies through dialogue, coordination, practical engagement, and capacity-building activities.
They will do the same with regional partners, they said.
Marcos and Albanese vowed to make "a meaningful contribution to regional and global security" and saw the need "to enhance enhance and strengthen our extensive and long-standing defense and security cooperation, supported by the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Program."
They also sought ties in the following:
- humanitarian and disaster response
- education and training
- cooperation and support on law enforcement
- counter-terrorism
- countering violent extremism
- money laundering
- human trafficking
- illegal drug trafficking
- supporting women and youth
- peace and security, and maritime security,
- and participation in joint exercises and activities.
"We will solidify our cyber affairs and critical technology cooperation, including through information sharing, particularly in investigating cybercrime and cyber-enabled crimes," they added.
Regarding the issue in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), which is connected to the South China Sea that China claims in its entirety, both leaders called to respect the 2016 Arbitral Award, which affirmed Manila's claim over WPS.
They said there should be no coercion or force in settling disputes, as other countries remain firm in their illegal claim in the waters.
"We reaffirm our commitment to the preservation of regional peace and stability, and the rules-based international order. We look forward to the positive contribution the AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) security partnership will have to the collective security and stability of the region," they said.