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PH, allies enhance defense capabilities in high-level meeting

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
March 3, 2025, 10:57 am

MANILA -- The Philippine Army's officials met with representatives from Australia, Japan and the United States over the weekend to discuss reinforcing collective defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific Region.

In a statement Monday, Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the high-level meeting at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on March 1 and 2 were attended Brig. Gen. Dean Thompson (G-3, Australian Army), Maj. Gen. Scott Winter (G-5, US Army Pacific), Col. Christopher Winn (G-5, US Marine Corps Forces in the Pacific), Maj. Gen. Norimichi Shirakawa (G-5, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force), Brig. Gen. Vicente Map Blanco III (Deputy Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps), and Philippine Army vice-commander Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid.

Dema-ala said the meeting focused on enhancing interoperability and aligning military exercises among regional partners and allies.

"Discussions emphasized the importance of information sharing and mutual trust, recognizing these as key pillars for effective multilateral cooperation," he added.

The nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional security and advancing operational synergy across their land forces.

"As part of the ongoing commitment to regional security collaboration, the next CORE 4 engagement will take place in May 2025 in Hawaii during Land Forces Pacific," Dema-ala said.

He added this forum would provide another opportunity for participating nations to advance strategic initiatives and further strengthen military partnerships in the region.

(PNA)