PH-Australia to sign mutual defense cooperation agreement next year

The Philippines and Australia on Friday have signed an intent to ink next year a defense cooperation agreement, which will also include the establishment of facilities for joint exercises between the defense forces of two countries.

“Today we have, just as you have seen, also signed a statement of intent to pursue a defence cooperation agreement that we will seek to sign this time next year. This will be really an important step forward in terms of our defence relationship that builds on the 1995 memorandum of understanding between our two countries,” said Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles in joint presser with Philippine Defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

“And to that extent, to that end we have also, as part of our outcomes, agreed to pursue a defence infrastructure plan. Right now, Australia is pursuing eight different infrastructure projects across five different locations here in the Philippines,” the Australian official added.

"We have agreed now to establish a plan between our two countries, which will guide the way in which our infrastructure investment is pursued over the coming years, to see greater infrastructure here in the Philippines for the benefit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines."

For his part, Teodoro explained that the upcoming deal with Australia is different from the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement or EDCA between the US and the Philippines, which grants US troops access to designated Philippine military facilities and the right to construct facilities but ruling out establishing a permanent base.

“It will not be like the EDCA, definitely, we will work on the appropriate arrangements as our forces find out what they need. EDCA is an offshoot of a mutual defense treaty and not a visiting forces agreement, so that is a fundamental difference,” said Teodoro.

“We will count the appropriate arrangements but we need, in order to operationalize the status of visiting forces agreement with Australia, more facilities to serve them for increased tempo of joint exercises, joint activities.”

But when asked for the locations of the planned facilities under the deal, Teodoro told the media: “We cannot tell you.”

Alon Exercises

Marles is currently in the Philippines for the upcoming Alon Exercises, which is the largest drill to be participated in by Australian forces outside their country.

Aside from Australian and Filipino military personnel, American and Canadian forces are also expected to participate in the exercises that will cover drills both on air, land, and sea, and cyberspace.

“This meeting is also occurring whilst we are seeing exercise along and over the coming two days both the Secretary and I will be able to have the privilege of being able to see our service men and women work together in this very important exercise,” said Marles.

“This is the largest exercise in which Australia will participate beyond our shores this year. The exercise involving more than three and a half thousand personnel possibly Australian and Filipino personnel, but also including US and Canadian forces.” — BAP, GMA Integrated News