Philippines, Australia sign defence pact with eye on China
MANILA: The Philippines and Australia signed a defence cooperation arrangement on Sunday that Manila said would lower bureaucratic hurdles to joint military activities, as the two countries further deepen security ties. Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the arrangement would streamline implementation of the bilateral Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, or SOVFA, by simplifying…
The Philippines and Australia inked a defense cooperation agreement on Sunday, aimed at reducing bureaucratic obstacles to joint military operations, as their security ties continue to strengthen. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro announced that the pact would expedite the implementation of the bilateral Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) by simplifying coordination procedures.
"Instead of 100 steps to accomplish a single task, it will now require just 10," Teodoro explained, describing the deal as a "measure against bureaucratic red tape." He added that the arrangement would facilitate closer collaboration among maritime, air, and land forces, as well as humanitarian and disaster response efforts, thereby reinforcing the Philippines' "credible deterrence posture," particularly in the South China Sea.
Meanwhile, the Philippines has been expanding its security alliances while reinforcing its longstanding partnership with the United States, amid concerns over China's aggressive behavior in the disputed South China Sea, where maritime boundaries are overlapping. Australia has consistently backed Manila's stance on the strategic waterway, endorsing a 2016 ruling by an international arbiter that China's expansive claims lack legal foundation under international law, a judgment Beijing strongly rejects.
Beijing maintains its actions in the South China Sea are lawful and professional, and routinely opposes Manila's joint military exercises with allied partners, arguing that such drills increase regional tensions. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is currently attending a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Manila, witnessed the signing of the defense pact.
Albanese highlighted that the agreement would enhance maritime awareness and information sharing, boost strategic dialogue, training, interoperability, and defense infrastructure development. He also announced additional Australian investment in maritime domain awareness, including drone technology, equipment, and training, to bolster the detection of maritime and cybersecurity threats.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
