DEFENSE Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Thursday, August 19, 2021, said the Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement (MLSA) between the Philippines and Australia will further boost the military capability of both nations, particularly in disaster response.

“The Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement between the Philippines and Australia is a framework that will allow the provision of logistics support during exercises, training, deployments, and other exigencies as mutually determined by both countries,” he said in a statement.

“MLSA will, likewise, facilitate rapid deployment of both forces for purposes of humanitarian assistance and disaster response. It is intended to enhance the interoperability between the AFP and ADF, which regularly conduct exercises under the PH-AUS Defense Cooperation and the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement,” he added.

The MLSA was signed by the Philippines on February 18 and by Australia on April 23.

The signatories are Rear Admiral Alberto Carlos for the Philippines, in his capacity as AFP deputy chief of staff for logistics, and Rear Admiral Ian Murray of the Australian Defence Force.

The MLSA will be endorsed by the DND to the Department of Foreign Affairs, before it will be transmitted to the Office of the President for ratification. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)