Manila, Aug. 5 -- The Philippines and Australia are beefing up their ties, with the countries' defense chiefs set to meet for the 3rd Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers' Meeting (DMM) in Darwin, Australia this week.

The Department of National Defense (DND), in a news release Wednesday, said the meeting between DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles MP seeks to enhance Indo-Pacific convergence.

The meeting, it said, coincides with the commemoration of the 80th year of Philippines-Australia diplomatic relations.

"The 3rd DMM highlights the deepening Strategic Partnership between the two countries, realized through enhanced joint bilateral and multilateral military exerci...