Dateline Kamuning: Australia announced a maritime cooperation initiative package for the Philippines, including technical assistance and capacity building for the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) as well as increased Official Development Assistance (ODA) for several initiatives, including the Mindanao peace process. The announcement came following a bilateral meeting between Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during her official visit to the Philippines. “Building on the already deep and wide-ranging maritime security cooperation between Australia and the Philippines, Minister Wong announced a package of maritime cooperation initiatives, including technical assistance and capacity building for the Philippine Coast Guard; equipment, skills and technology to improve maritime domain awareness and marine protection; assistance to mitigate the environmental impacts of the recent oil spill in Mindoro; and support for women’s leadership in...