Aussie equipment boost ops vs. violent extremism

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 24, 2021): Aussie equipment boost ops vs. violent extremism (By Priam Nepomuceno)

DONATION. AFP chief, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana (right) and Australian Defense Attaché, Col. Paul Joseph Barta (left), take a look at the IT and multimedia equipment donated by the Australian government in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Wednesday (June 23, 2021). The donation was coursed under the mutually agreed Australia-Philippines Enhanced Defence Cooperation Program. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will utilize the information technology (IT) and multimedia equipment donated by the Australian government in its ongoing efforts to counter violent extremism.

“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,” AFP chief, Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said Thursday.

The donation was coursed under the mutually agreed Australia-Philippines Enhanced Defence Cooperation Program.

Sobejana formally received the IT and multimedia equipment donation worth PHP2.7 million in a short ceremony at the AFP headquarters' canopy area in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City Wednesday.

Sobejana extended the military's gratitude to the Australian government and Australian Defence Force represented by Defense Attaché, Col. Paul Joseph Barta.

“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 fulfill their mandate to secure the state and protect the Filipino people,” he said.

The new equipment includes high-tech computers, tablets, storage devices, smart TVs, cameras, and audio recording components.

“The equipment will assist the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ office for the prevention and countering of violent extremism research to achieve its mission – by documenting and understanding the drivers of radicalization, effective strategies for prevention of violent extremism can be found,” Barta said.

The AFP continues to strengthen its counter-terrorism capabilities within cyberspace where access to available information is critical.

With the new equipment, access and exchange of information among the military's allies shall be made more available and secured.

“We have already made great strides in enhancing our capabilities in the cyberspace environment. However, we do acknowledge that much is still needed. After the grueling Marawi Siege in 2017 against the ISIS-Maute Group, and the lessons that we have to learn the hard way, the AFP is more than determined to prevent any incidents of the same nature from ever happening in the future,” Sobejana added.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1144773