Tokyo: The Philippines is exploring ways to further expand its bilateral defense cooperation with Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Saturday. The subject was discussed during a meeting between the DND and the three states' defense agencies on the sidelines of the Japan Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue (JPIDD) in Tokyo earlier this week. According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine delegation, led by Defense Assistant Secretary for International Affairs Marita Yoro, also reviewed capacity-building initiatives and strengthened collaboration on mutual security concerns with the three states. The Philippines maintains strong defense relations with the three countries, mostly focused on maritime security, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR). Japan recently signed a reciprocal military access pact with the Philippines, and has been providing multi-million peso-worth of equipment and defense infrastructure support to help build the country's defense capabilities. Meanwhile, at the JPIDD, Yoro spoke as an invited partner, underscoring Manila's growing role in promoting regional stability and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines' first participation in the JPIDD coincided with this year's 70th anniversary of the normalization of the Philippines-Japan diplomatic relations and the new phase of strategic partnership between the two countries, the DND said. It likewise represented a meaningful step in broadening the Philippines' defense partnerships and reinforcing its commitment to a rules-based international order. The 3rd JPIDD, organized by the Japanese Ministry of Defense, was held from Feb. 22 to 24. It was also the first time the Philippines joined the dialogue.