By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – The Philippines and Australia plan to enhance their cooperation in maritime domain awareness (MDA) and related matters as the two countries cite strong security ties.
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles met on the sidelines of the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and 13th ADMM-Plus in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Wednesday, the DND said in a news release.
“The engagement focused on the regional security situation amid China’s expansionist ambitions and coercive actions. The two officials also discussed enhancing defense cooperation, particularly in the areas of MDA, training and exercises, intelligence sharing, and defense infrastructure development,” it said.
The meeting was held weeks after the 3rd Defense Ministerial Meeting on Aug. 7, when the officials announced progress in the conclusion of the Defense Cooperation Arrangement (DCA), which sets the contemporary bilateral defense framework.
The DCA is expected to be signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the ASEAN Summit next month.
“On training and exercises, the two discussed the possible inclusion of other Status of Visiting Forces Agreement partners and the development of Exercise Alon in scale and complexity with each iteration,” the DND added. (PNA)
