Joselito Malig

Australia, PH celebrate 80 years of ties with Quezon memorial rites, renewed push for defense

Article (news)

Francis Orcio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Australia and the Philippines marked the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on Friday with the lighting of the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Australia’s national colors of green and gold, alongside ceremonies commemorating Australia’s wartime support for President Manuel L. Quezon and the Philippine government-in-exile during World War II.Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Marc Innes-Brown joined Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines during the event held in Quezon City.Innes-Brown described the bilateral relationship as one that was “forged under fire” and steadily strengthened over the decades through defense cooperation, trade, migration, education, and development partnerships.“Our trade investment relationship has grown bigger year by year. Our people-to-people links have expanded enormously. There are now 400,000 people in Australia of Filipino descent who are a backbone of the relationship,” Innes-Brown said.The celebration also featured a groundbreaking ceremony for a historical marker commissioned by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines honoring Australia’s role in sheltering President Manuel L. Quezon and his government in 1942 as Japanese forces occupied the Philippines.Formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on May 22, 1946, with the opening of the Australian Consulate in Manila.According to Innes-Brown, commemorating the episode remains vital because it laid the foundation for the modern partnership between the two nations.“History is important in any relationship and that was the start of the modern relationship. The fact that Australia was able to provide a safe harbor for President Quezon and his team until they went elsewhere,” he said.“Since then, the relationship has flourished. And I think that particular historical event was the sort of culmination, the beginning of the start of a wonderful partnership. So we thought we should commemorate it,” he added.<div>EXPANDING DEFENSE PARTNERSHIP</div>Innes-Brown also highlighted the expanding defense and maritime partnership between Canberra, capital of Australia, and Manila amid evolving geopolitical and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.“Australia and the Philippines have long been defense partners, and last August, our two defense ministers committed to updating our defense cooperation arrangement,” he said.“And those negotiations are underway. And we hope to be able to conclude a new arrangement this year to mark the 80th anniversary. And that modernizes the previous agreement,” he added.He noted that defense engagement between the two countries has significantly expanded in recent years.“Our cooperation has expanded in a whole range of new areas over that time. In fact, just last year, there were over 200 separate cooperative activities between Australia and the Philippines in the defense area,” he said.Beyond defense ties, Innes-Brown cited growing educational exchanges and migration links between the two countries, noting that more than 25,000 Filipino students are currently studying in Australia.The ambassador also pointed to expanding aviation connections, including new routes launched by Australian airline Jetstar Airways between Brisbane and Cebu, and Perth and Manila.

Australia and the Philippines marked the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on Friday with the lighting of the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Australia’s national colors of green and gold, alongside ceremonies commemorating Australia’s wartime support for President Manuel L. Quezon.

Australia and the Philippines marked the 80th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on Friday with the lighting of the Quezon Memorial Shrine in Australia’s national colors of green and gold, alongside ceremonies commemorating Australia’s wartime support for President Manuel L. Quezon.