Australia, Philippines to bolster military drills

Filipino security men stand guard as Australian guided missile frigate HMAS Sydney is docked at Manila’s south harbor pier, Philippines on Monday Oct. 22, 2012. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine defense chief says his Australian counterpart plans to visit early next year to discuss ways to bolster security cooperation and the entry of Australian forces for military exercises under a new pact.

The Philippine Senate in July ratified an accord that would allow Australian troops to train in combat exercises with Filipino forces in the country. It was a long-delayed pact that got backing from lawmakers alarmed by Manila’s recent territorial spats with Beijing.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Sunday that he and Australian Defense Minister Stephen Smith would discuss how to enhance joint exercises, including those that would help their forces better deal with natural disasters, terrorism and other threats.

Washington is the only other country with a similar visiting forces agreement with the Philippines.