Australia, Philippines update 1995 defense framework with new pact

Australia and the Philippines signed a defense cooperation agreement in Manila during the ASEAN summit, updating a 1995 framework and deepening military ties. The pact is intended to streamline coordination on security matters, disaster response, military procurement, and joint exercises on land and at sea. The signing builds on an existing strategic partnership and arrangements for joint training and humanitarian response; separately, the two countries are set to join the United States and Japan in a Manila-based coordination center for information sharing and military interoperability.