The Philippines and Australia signed a defense cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening coordination and expanding interaction between the armed forces. A. A. from both countries, ABS-CBN reported.
According to Philippine National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, the document signed on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit will reduce bureaucratic procedures and facilitate the use of foreign-made weapons by the Philippine military.
In addition, the treaty will accelerate the deployment of Australian soldiers for relief missions in cases of natural disasters, the official added.