AFP, US Indo-Pacific Command vow stronger alliance amid COVID-19 pandemic

From GMA News Online (Oct 29, 2020): AFP, US Indo-Pacific Command vow stronger alliance amid COVID-19 pandemic (By ANNA FELICIA BAJO)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Indo-Pacific Command n Thursday vowed to have a stronger mutual defense alliance amid the challenges being faced by the two forces.

The AFP and the US INDOPACOM conducted a virtual mutual defense board-security engagement board meeting amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to AFP chief General Gilbert Gapay, both camps view the alliance as a strong and resilient partnership that needs to be responsive in the changing security environment.

For US INDOPACOM commander Admiral Philip Davidson, the Philippines and the US "remain steadfast allies in our pursuit of regional peace and stability."

"Our close cooperation ensures our forces are interoperable and a formidable force for stability throughout the region while further strengthening the ties that make us such close friends, allies, and partners," Davidson said.

During the meeting, the military leaders discussed the impact of the health crisis on the activities and engagements scheduled next year, including the Balikatan exercises.

They discussed the measures in preventing the transmission of infection, including the use of training bubbles and scaling down of exercises.

Gapay also said the Philippine military "envisions our alliance to continue with mutually beneficial activities that will result in greater interoperability between our armed forces."

The MDB-SEB Meeting is convened annually between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Indo-Pacific Command to discuss security cooperation activities and strategic vision for the alliance, anchored on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.

Moreover, Gapay emphasized the importance of utilizing Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement locations and other resources to ensure effective response to different mission areas.

"Our alliance should continue to provide the mechanism to further enhance our already robust defense cooperation by pursuing capability building initiatives for our interoperability," Gapay said.

"I recommend that both our armed forces should commit to continue planning activities to further improve our joint and combined capabilities and interoperability," he added.—LDF, GMA News

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/761939/afp-us-indo-pacific-command-vow-stronger-alliance-amid-covid-19-pandemic/story/