Military cooperation between the Philippines and Australia moved a step further, as the second meeting of Defense Cooperation Working Group (DCWG) of the two neighboring countries ended Friday in Manila.

The DCWG meeting focused on how the Philippines and Australia can cooperate in the fields of maritime security, military training and education exchanges, according to a press release from the meeting.

Meanwhile, Australian ambassador to Philippines Tony Hely said on Friday his government remains concerned over the security situation in Mindanao, south Philippines, citing the continuous presence of terrorist elements in the region.

In a press conference in Camp Aguinaldo, Manila following the DCWG meeting,Hely also said the Australian government is also concerned over the security situation in Indonesia and southern Thailand.

"There is a strong effort that the three governments themselves are devoting to eradicating terrorists in those areas," added Hely.

Philippine defense secretary Avelino Cruz said on Friday that the efforts against terrorists will continue so that they can prevent this problem from becoming a serious threat to the country.

Cruz vowed that the Philippines will continue cooperating with Australia in solving the terrorism problem.

Australia has issued travel advisories to its citizens against traveling to Mindanao, where at least 30 to 40 members of the Southeast Asian terrorist network Jemaah Islamiyah and at least 400 local Abu Sayyaf terrorists are staying.

Source: Xinhua