Philippines, Brazil sign MOU for defense cooperation

The Philippines on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for defense cooperation with Brazil, the first Latin American nation to have such an agreement with the country, the Department of National Defense (DND) said.

“This MOU is the first bilateral defense agreement of the Philippines with a Latin American country,” the DND said in a statement.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana signed the Philippines-Brazil Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defense Cooperation.

Brazil was represented by the Chargé d'affaires, ad interim Minister Sérgio Taam of the Brazilian Embassy in the Philippines, the DND said.

Meanwhile, Lorenzana on Saturday said he recently had a meeting with incoming National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos.

Earlier, Carlos said the Marcos administration will pursue a "critical engagement" with China and other countries.

According to her, critical engagement involves creating a holistic framework considering all aspects — political, economic, social, cultural — in the country’s relationship with China.

Carlos clarified that this approach will be also used with other countries. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News