The Philippines has asked Australia to donate a dozen UH-1H Huey helicopters to beef up its military's efforts to defeat Muslim and Maoist guerrillas, officials have said. Manila has previously said it needs more helicopters to prevent Islamic militants from neighbouring states seeking sanctuary on a southern island where Muslim rebels have been fighting for nearly 40 years to gain self-determination. "The Philippines is asking Australia to gift them with about a dozen helicopters," Vic Jones, an official at the Australian Embassy in Manila said, adding a decision might be made later this year. "If we decide to give them, it would be at no cost." Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith is currently visiting the Philippines. Officials said he and his Philippine counterpart, Alberto Romulo, have discussed counter-terrorism,...
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