A 17-member delegation led by Maj. Gen. Manoj Kumar of India Ministry of Defence's National Defence College (NDC) rendered a courtesy call on Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Roberto S. Capulong at the Headquarters Philippine Army (HPA), Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila on June 7, 2022.
Maj. Gen. Capulong, who represented Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., thanked Maj. Gen. Kumar for choosing the Philippines as one of the countries for their overseas study tour. The Army Chief of Staff then facilitated the Philippine Army information briefing for the New Delhi-based NDC delegation which covers the PA's mission, organizational structure, functions and thrusts as well as an open forum with the HPA General Staff.
The study tour provided delegates, which included students from Sri Lanka, Uganda, Australia, Iran, and Uzbekistan, with an overview of the Philippine socio-economic development, foreign policy, and security issues.
Maj. Gen. Kumar said India’s efforts to foster stronger ties with partner nations is in line its government's Act East Policy. Maj. Gen. Capulong, for his part, said the Philippines and India share a common aspiration for a peaceful and open Indo-Pacific region.
Meanwhile, Philippine Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Education and Training, G8, Col. Arsenio D. Sadural said the study tour will open avenues for further collaboration between the two organizations. ”It is both an honor and a great pleasure to welcome everyone and see you all face-to-face at this momentous event which forms part of the Philippine Army and Indian Army’s overarching program of strengthening both forces’ capabilities through different education and training programs, exchange visits, confidence-building engagements, and capability-development mechanism,” Col. Sadural said in his opening remarks.
Photos: Pfc. Rodgen V. Quirante Philippine Army/ OACPA