THE Philippines and Japan have agreed to advance the security partnership of both countries following a meeting between Defense Secretary Gilberto 'Gibo' Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Ambassador to Manila Kazuhiko Koshikawa, a spokesman for the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Saturday.

The agreement was reached on Friday when both officials explored the possibility of collaboration in developing the Philippines' self-reliant defense posture through research and development (R&D) on defense equipment, systems and other related technologies, as well as expertise exchange, said Director Arsenio Andolong.