Good morning and mabuhay.
Can I first start by thanking Admiral Gavan, Commandant, for welcoming me and my delegation and for the very touching contribution you just made. We appreciate it greatly and I appreciated it.
The Commandant rightly spoke about my history and the insight that you reflected, which is maritime Southeast Asia has shaped me and shapes my view as Foreign Minister of the importance not only of the region but of the maritime domain, was absolutely on point and I thank you for it.
Can I acknowledge all of the dignitaries who are here today, already acknowledged.
And I want to particularly acknowledge the Coast Guard personnel who are present today, to thank you for welcoming me and my delegation. We are very honoured.
I want to say to you, to all of the Coast Guard personnel, Australia stands with you. We salute your professionalism, your dedication, and most of all, we salute your bravery.
Friends, Australia and the Philippines are close partners and we are even closer friends. And we are delighted to celebrate 80 years of diplomatic relations this year - an important milestone for both our countries.
Our ties of culture, of trade, of friendship and family, they are centuries old and they endured through the sacrifices our two peoples bore side by side in the darkest days of World War II.
They continue today across trade and investment, across defence, energy security, development, and of course maritime security.
As the Commandant said, we believe that the maritime domain is the heart of our region's shared security, prosperity and stability.
It is at the heart of our shared future. We all rely on free, open, secure waterways and on the trade and energy that they carry.
That trade depends not only on ships and sea lanes, but also on the rules that govern them.
And that is why, working with ASEAN, Australia is helping to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous maritime region.
And Australia will continue to stand up for the rules and norms that underpin our shared security and shared prosperity, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which matters so much to the countries of ASEAN.
And we remain concerned about destabilising and dangerous conduct in the South China Sea, some of which the Philippines Coast Guard knows too well, including the actions by Chinese vessels towards Philippines vessels we witnessed yesterday morning.
Friends, we do understand the breadth of the challenges you face, including illegal fishing, maritime pollution, environmental damage and climate change.
And a key message that I want to give to you today, and I hope to leave with you, is that we will continue to support you as we work to address these challenges together.
And today I'm delighted to announce that Australia will provide an additional 10 million Australian dollars, 413 million pesos, of cutting-edge drone technology and operator training.
This will bring our drone support to just under 600 million pesos since April 2025.
And Australian-gifted drones have already been successfully used in maritime security, search and rescue, and environmental protection operations.
And why is this?
Well, it is a testament to the Coast Guard personnel here today, and also to the Australian trainers who have been and are privileged to work with you.
It is also my distinct pleasure to formally launch the next phase of Australia's Civil Maritime Initiative, Civil Maritime Advancement through Partnerships and Support, perhaps more easily known as CMAPS.
An investment that retains a focus on equipment, maritime governance reform, marine protection, climate change mitigation, with exchange and scholarship opportunities.
And I'm pleased to announce that we are doubling our funding to 678 million pesos over four years to support this partnership.
Friends, this reflects the high priority Australia places on our civil maritime partnership with you, and the high priority we place on our shared work to contribute to you building your maritime resilience.
It is a privilege to be here to discuss our shared interest in maritime security. As the Commandant has said, I hope to have further discussions with you.
But I leave you here in my public remarks with this simple wish:
May our partnership be strengthened in the years ahead.
Thank you.
