RP, Spain working on agreement against terrorism

Spain and the Philippines are working on an agreement to boost cooperation in counterterrorism and other defense matters, they said Monday.

The two countries have both been victims of terrorist bombings but both will overcome the threat "with the strength of our democratic convictions and the rule of law," visiting Spanish Defense Minister Jose Bono said in Manila.

Bono said that he and his Philippine counterpart Avelino Cruz did not discuss the situation in Iraq, from where both the Philippines and Spain have withdrawn their troops.

Cruz said the two discussed areas where Spain could help the Philippines such as "information sharing on counterterrorism, exchange of training and education and other matters like material procurement and acquisition."

He said that he would likely visit Spain in the near future to finalize the agreement that could include sending Philippine military personnel for training in Spain. — AFP, Jaime Laude