The militaries of the Philippines and the United States (US) are set to implement over 500 bilateral engagements subsequent 12 months, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) mentioned Saturday.
In an announcement, the AFP mentioned the Philippine army and the US Indo-Pacific Command (US INDOPACOM) concluded its annual Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) assembly on the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Thursday, September 14.
The MDB-SEB assembly was led by AFP Chief-of-Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. and US INDOPACOM Commander Admiral John Aquilino.
The AFP mentioned the assembly is the culminating exercise of the PH-US planning cycle that assessed earlier actions and “set out over 500 bilateral engagements for 2024 to include exercises and high-level exchanges between the allied nations, matters of security cooperation activities, and the strategic vision including maritime security, information sharing, and capacity and capability development, among others.”
The AFP mentioned the assembly additionally resulted in discussions and strategic collaboration reaffirming the steadfast dedication of the PH-US in safeguarding our nations and the Indo-Pacific area.
Brawner and Aquilino have additionally agreed to expedite the completion of EDCA initiatives with 63 extra initiatives, along with the 32 allotted earlier.
On Thursday, the US INDOPACOM chief mentioned the American army could search entry to extra army bases within the Philippines below a joint protection settlement between the 2 international locations.
Meanwhile, the AFP mentioned the assembly reaffirmed the 2 nations’ dedication to the PH-US alliance as espoused within the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the joint pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific area in opposition to a backdrop of a rules-based worldwide order.
“These underscores the continued partnership and collaboration between the Philippines and the United States in enhancing national defense capabilities, as well as the shared commitment to regional security and disaster response efforts,” mentioned Brawner.
“It signifies our commitment to further strengthen our cooperation, ensuring that both militaries are equipped and well-prepared to respond to evolving security challenges,” added Brawner.
For his half, Aquilino thanked the AFP chief and the National Defense Department for internet hosting this 12 months’s assembly as he underscored its significance in additional “strengthening alliance in order to make sure that the Indo-Pacific remains free for all to prosper in and to live by [our shared values].” —KG, GMA News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
