Philippine Army troops conduct joint exercises with Australian counterparts

From MindaNews (Feb 22, 2023): Philippine Army troops conduct joint exercises with Australian counterparts (By FERDINANDH B. CABRERA)

COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 22 February)— A platoon of Australian Army soldiers have started exercises with their counterparts in the Philippine Army at the headquarters of the 6th Infantry Division starting Feb. 20 until March 31.

Philippine and Australian soldiers at the start of joint exercises at the 6th ID’s Camp Siongco. Photo courtesy of 6ID

The Australian soldiers of the 6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment—led by Lt. Col. Timothy Lopsik, the Assistant Defence Attaché—are now at Camp Siongco in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat municipality in Maguindanao del Norte for the six-week joint exercise.

The joint exercises aim to share experiences and improve security in the areas of garrison maintenance, military tactics, techniques and procedures.

The joint forces held the opening ceremony at the 6ID grandstand on Monday, presided over by Brig. Gen. Jovencio Gonzales, assistant division commander for operations in
behalf of the division commander, Maj. Gen. Alex Rillera.

Gonzales expressed his gratitude to the Australian government for choosing 6ID as their partner on this endeavor.

“This training will pave a way for our soldiers to acquire new skills, sharpen existing ones, perform better, increase productivity, and be better leaders. Our cooperation truly promotes our shared vision for a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient region of sovereign states,” he said.

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