Australia assures troops will not engage in combat
Filed under: General News
From: ABS-CBN News Online
By PIA LEE-BRAGO
The Philippine Star
Australia assured that their military will not engage in combat operations against terrorists in the Philippines under the bilateral defense pact Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA).
Australian Ambassador Tony Hely said that visiting Australian troops under the agreement would not be sent to defend Australia’s mining interests in the Philippines.
“That is just a complete misunderstanding of the SOVFA. That would never happen for three or four reasons. One is the Australian government will never allow it. The Philippine government would never agree to it. The SOVFA doesn’t allow for it and the Philippine Constitution does not allow for it. So it won’t happen and will never happen,” Hely said.
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