US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke with Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin by telephone Sunday, the Pentagon said Monday, congratulating him on the recent signing of the U.S.-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. "Hagel also welcomed the opportunity for US forces to train with the Philippine armed forces in the Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) exercise, which begins today, and he noted the exercise's importance to regional security," Pentagon spokesman Navy Rear Admiral John Kirby said in a statement. "The two defense secretaries recalled fondly their discussions during the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Forum in Hawaii last month, and said they look forward to meeting again during the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus in Burma later this year," Kirby said.
