PHL to boost defense relation with Myanmar

From the Sun Star-Manila (Jul 3): PHL to boost defense relation with Myanmar

THE Department of National Defense (DND) is planning to come-up with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bolster the defense relations of the Philippines and its neighboring country, Myanmar.

During the visit of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Defense Services, on Wednesday at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin expressed the DND's commitment in strengthening Philippines-Myanmar defense relations through an MOU.

"We look forward to the possibility of having a memorandum of understanding in Defense Cooperation with Myanmar, which can serve as a framework to promote defense cooperation between our two countries," he said.

Gazmin said the MOU will enable the Philippines to cooperate in various fields such as defense dialogues, education and training exchanges.

The Defense official said the partnership will boost the capability of the AFP to defend the country from any threat.

However, he said the move was for the general capability of the AFP and not for a particular conflict such as the ongoing dispute of the Spratlys Island and Panatag Shoal with China.

Gazmin also thanked Hliang for the assistance rendered by the Myanmar Government to Filipinos affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) on November 2013.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2014/07/03/phl-boost-defense-relation-myanmar-351663