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MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The Philippines and the United Kingdom have signed an agreement on defense engagements including the latter鈥檚 bolstering of its participation in future military exercises held in the country.听

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Philippine Ambassador to the UK Teodoro Locsin Jr. and UK Minister of State for Defence, The Earl of Minto Timothy Minto, signed a memorandum of understanding on Jan. 11 at the Philippine Embassy in London.

鈥淭he MOU is aimed at providing a framework for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the field of defense, including on defense and military education, training and capacity building, peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, armaments and military equipment, and research and technology,鈥� the DFA said in a statement on Tuesday.

In another statement, the UK Embassy in the Philippines called the engagement a 鈥渃ornerstone鈥� of both countries鈥� defense partnership.

鈥淚t outlines the intent of our defence engagement for the next five years across a range of areas including military exercises, training and modernisation efforts,鈥� the embassy said in a statement on Wednesday.

鈥淭he UK is proud of our relationship with the Philippines and defence forms a crucial part to this. We look forward to working closely to continue developing this engagement,鈥� the statement further read.

The UK joined as observers in a number of joint military drills between the United States and the Philippines in previous years.听

In August 2023, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and former UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly听 signed a joint statement of intent in a bid to further developing bilateral defense engagement of both countries.