US, Australia eye sea patrols with PH

(UPDATE) THE United States and Australia expressed willingness to conduct joint maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea with the Philippines. The issue was discussed by the respective defense secretaries of the two countries with Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. Galvez met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles on Wednesday. “As countries which are committed to the global rules-based order, it is natural that we should think about ways in which we can cooperate in this respect,” Marles said during a joint press briefing with Galvez. Senior Undersecretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine…