Australia Offers Help To The Philippines Fighting Terrorism

Australia's Defence Minister Robert Hill will hold talks today with Filippino government officials about Australia giving assistance to the fight against Jemaah Islamiah. Australia's Minister for Defence, Robert HillIt's believed the organisation has set-up camps in the southern Philippines and is working with other suspected terrorist organisations. Senator Hill has visited the south and talked with local military commanders. He will have discussions today in the capital Manila which he thinks can benefit both countries. We are concerned that Jemaah Islamiah maybe infiltrating from Indonesia and if there are ways in which we can help build the capabilities of the Philippine armed forces to meet that threat, then it is our interests as well as theirs, he says.