Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Sunday clarified that the planned defense agreement between the Philippines and Australia is not a Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), but rather a formalization of existing areas of cooperation.
He made the clarification while in Palawan following the joint Exercise ALON Combined Joint Forcible Entry Operation (CJFEO), which showcased integrated air, sea, and land operations between Filipino and Australian troops.
“That statement of intent sort of makes clear where our areas of cooperation will be. Actually, we’re doing these things now. We want it formalized,” Teodoro said in an ambush interview.
The defense chief explained that the two countries are working toward a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or a Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) that would codify ongoing military collaboration.
“A Mutual Defense Treaty is an entirely different thing,” the defense chief stressed, dispelling speculation that the pact would mirror the Philippines’ 1951 MDT with the United States.
On Friday, the Philippines and Australia signed a statement of intent to pursue a Defense Cooperation Agreement, aiming to boost security ties further.
The agreement is expected to be completed and signed by 2026.
