The Philippine Army yesterday said it has started planning with its Australian counterpart their bilateral engagement plans for next year.

This after the deputy chief of the Australian Army, Major General Natasha Fox made a courtesy call on Philippine Army Chief, Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., at the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

Army spokesperson, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, said Fox and Australian Defense Attaché to the Philippines Col. Paul Joseph Barta attended the 6th Philippine-Australia Staff Talks in Manila.

Key Philippine and Australian army officers have reviewed and updated the two countries’ bilateral activities this year, along with the discussion to begin the next year’s military activities.

During the Balikatan, more than 100 Australian soldiers trained side-by-side with American and Filipino troops.

Trinidad said Fox lauded Filipino soldiers for their jungle warfare operations skills.