PH, Malaysia hold security meet

From the Manila Standard Today (Dec 10): PH, Malaysia hold security meet

Malaysian armed forces chief. Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin (right)assisted by Armed Forces Chief Gen. Jessie Dellosa confer a medal on Malaysian Armed Forces Chief Gen. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Zulkifeli Bin Mohd Zin. FLORANTE SOLMERIN

 

Malaysia’s armed forces chief Gen. Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Zulkifeli Bin Mohd Zin arrived in the Manila last week for talks with Philippine defense and military officials on various issues, including bilateral security, officials said on Sunday. Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa said a visit by Malyasia’s highest military official would strengthen cooperation between the two counties amid the tension caused by territorial conflict with China over the West Philippine Sea.“The Armed Forces of the Philippines is committed towards promoting and enhancing regional peace and security which is why we are undertaking these high-level visits aimed at further strengthening our bilateral relationship with other countries,” Dellosa said.

During his four-day visit that ended yesterday, Zulkifeli visited various military commands in the country, including the 6th Infantry Division in Mindanao and the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio. The two countries signed a military and defense pact in 1994. The Philippines and Malaysia have claimed some areas in the disputed West Philippine Sea that China claims as entirely its territory. Other claimants include Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei. No details were released regarding Zulkifeli’s talks with defense and military officials but Dellosa said the visit could result to better cooperation between the two countries.

“We are confident that with a stronger bilateral relationship with our Malaysian counterpart and other neighboring countries, more opportunities for security cooperation and peace and development programs will emerge to benefit the people in the region,” Dellosa said. Last October, Malaysia brokered the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that resulted in a Framework Agreement, which officials hoped could end the decades-old armed rebellion in Mindanao.

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