MANILA, Aug. 22 -- Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday welcomed Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles at Malacanan Palace in Manila, as the Philippines and Australia seek to strengthen their defense cooperation.

A video of Bersamin's meeting with Marles was uploaded on the official Facebook page of state-run Radio Television Malacanang (RTVM).

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also joined the meeting held at Malacanan's Presidential Guest House, based on the video.

Marles is in Metro Manila to attend the second Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers' Meeting, a high-level dialogue which is part of efforts to institutionalize regular consultations on defense and security matters.

He is also...