Philippines, Australia sign defense pact focused on South China Sea
Why it matters: The updated deal speeds joint military work on maritime operations, intelligence-sharing and defense infrastructure.
The Philippines and Australia signed an updated defense cooperation agreement in Manila on Sunday, expanding military coordination as tensions persist in the South China Sea. The pact refreshes an older memorandum and is meant to speed cooperation between the two countries’ forces. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the deal would streamline coordination and strengthen deterrence in areas under Philippine jurisdiction. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said the agreement would deepen practical cooperation and open new ways to support regional security. The two countries already have a visiting forces agreement dating to 2012 and have increased joint maritime patrols and land exercises in recent years.