The commandant of the United States Marine Corps visited Camp Aguinaldo on Monday as the US continues to assure its support to its ally while working to further strengthen defense and security relations with the country amid Manila’s maritime territorial issue with China.
General David H. Burger made a courtesy call on the Armed Forces of the Philippines Deputy Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Rommel Anthony SD Reyes where both discussed bilateral activities, cooperation and regional security issues.
“Both sides expressed the significance of nurturing the long-standing alliance and relationship between the Philippines and the United States to anticipate and address ongoing challenges in maritime defense security in the region and strengthen military interoperability between both countries,” said military public information office chief Col. Jorry Baclor.
The two military officials also cited the two countries’ cooperation and partnership in various military training and exercises, including the annual Balikatan war drill.
In Indonesia, Department of National Defense Officer in Charge Jose Faustino Jr. and Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto renewed the agreement between the Philippines and Indonesia on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense and Security.
The arrangement was among the bilateral agreements signed on the sidelines of the State Visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Indonesia.
Defense spokesman Arsenio “Popong” Andolong said the agreement reaffirmed the commitment of both countries under the 1997 Defense Cooperation Agreement and complemented the 1975 Border Patrol and Crossing Agreements between the Philippines and Indonesia.
The renewal of the agreement provided a framework for cooperation between the two defense establishments and “aims to enhance the longstanding defense cooperation between the two countries.”
“Such a framework would also enable the Philippines and Indonesia to collaborate in capacity building to address shared concerns, particularly in the Southeast Asian region,” Andolong said.
In Pasay City, the Philippine Army (PA) and US Army Pacific (USARPAC) began their weeklong planning conference for the 2023 iteration of “Salaknib,” an annual exercise involving both armies.
“Training has always been a vital tool for both the Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific to enhance defense readiness and strengthen interoperability, while simultaneously bolstering bilateral relationships,” Army Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training (DG8) Col. Emmanuel Cabasan said in his welcome remarks.
Both forces will conduct Salaknib in two phases in various sites in Central and Northern Luzon next year.
Around 2,200 Filipino and American servicemen trained side-by-side during the previous iteration of Salaknib, which focused on capability development of the Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team.
Also on Monday, Army and the Australian Defence Force concluded their month-long “Exercise Carabaroo” that bolstered the participating units’ combined arms capabilities in Darwin, Australia.
Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said more than 150 troops from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, First Scout Ranger Regiment, and Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) and their Australian counterparts trained alongside US Marine Corps during the exercise.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. during the courtesy call of Australian Ambassador Steven J. Robison AO four months ago reiterated the Army’s commitment to sustain its comprehensive and fruitful engagement with the Australian Defence Force through the conduct of regular training exercises.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy christened on Tuesday its two Israeli-supplied Fast Attack Interdiction Craft-Missile (FAIC-M) where Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado called for more anti-submarine helicopters for the Navy.
The two fast patrol craft were named as BRP Nestor Acero (PG-901) and BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902), which formed part of the first delivery of a total of nine FAICs that are being procured from Israel.
The Navy already has two AgustaWestland AW-159 anti-submarine helicopters, which are operating out of its two brand-new frigates, BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna, but Bordado said they need at least two more, given that they are acquiring two corvettes.