Manila, April 25 -- A deal that would expand Philippine-United Arab Emirates (UAE) cooperation in the area of defense, including countering cyber warfare threats, is in the works, Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver said on Friday.

The envoy said the "Defense Agreement" would help facilitate the possible acquisition of traditional armaments and tools against cybersecurity warfare threats, and new technologies, among other things.

It would also cover possible training and information exchange between the two states.

"Iyong defense matagal nang pinag-uusapan (Talks on defense had been going on for a long time) but gained new impetus recently as we pivoted our interests," he told the Philippine News Agency in a text message.

The...