MANILA: Australia and the Philippines signed a new defense pact on Sunday aimed at fast-tracking military cooperation and “bolstering deterrence” in a region marked by China’s growing military presence.
The agreement, which updates a decades-old memorandum, was signed on the sidelines of a leaders’ meeting in Manila, with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in attendance.
Manila and Canberra have steadily increased defense cooperation in recent years, including joint maritime patrols in the strategically vital South China Sea and land-based military exercises.
US ally the Philippines has been engaged in years of confrontations with China over disputed areas of the South China Sea.
Beijing claims nearly the entirety of the crucial waterway despite an international ruling that its position has no legal basis.
“The agreement makes us faster, speedier. It streamlines the coordination process,” Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told reporters after Sunday’s ceremony.
“It will bolster our credible deterrent posture in areas where we have jurisdiction,” he said, referring to contested areas of the South China Sea.
Teodoro said the updated pact would allow Philippine forces to better familiarise themselves with Australian equipment and weaponry, helping streamline the processes for joint training.
Australia and the Philippines have had a visiting forces agreement in place since 2012, allowing for their troops to train on each other’s territory.
