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Army chief meets with JUSMAG, US Army reps to beef up interoperability

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
August 18, 2025, 11:13 am

MANILA -- Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete met with ranking officials of the Joint US Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG) and the US Army Attaché as part of efforts to sustain bilateral engagement and enhance interoperability between the two forces.

In a statement Monday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said Nafarrete met with JUSMAG-Philippines chief Col. Daniel Oh and US Army Attaché Col. John Matthew Sova on Aug. 15 at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

As head of the JUSMAG-Philippines, Oh administers security assistance missions in addition to non-security assistance missions such as the coordination of joint Philippine and US military-to-military engagement programs prescribed by the Mutual Defense Board.

Meanwhile, Sova, as the US Army Attaché, fosters positive relationships with the PA and coordinates security cooperation activities.

"During the (joint courtesy) call, Lt. Gen. Nafarrete assured the sustained bilateral engagement between PA and the US Army. The Army Chief and the visiting senior US defense officials also discussed enhancing interoperability between both armies," Dema-ala said.

Interoperability exercises between the PA and US Army Pacific troops are highlighted in the annual Exercise "Salaknib" and the broader and multilateral Exercise "Balikatan".

They also have combined training and subject matter expert exchanges.

Nafarrete said the meeting embodies the shared values of peace, security, and regional stability between the two nations. (PNA)