Philippines weighs war drills with Australia, US

The Philippine military is looking at the possibility of organizing joint war drills with US and Australian troops to bolster the regional battle against terror groups, a military official said Wednesday. The Philippines holds several military exercises each year with the United States, its longtime ally, under a 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and two other security accords. Last month, it signed a Status of Forces Agreement with Australia that would allow large-scale exercises with Australian troops.