United Kingdom's Defense Attaché to the Philippines Group Captain Beatrix VH Walcot rendered an introductory call on Army Vice Commander Brig. Gen. Steve D. Crespillo at the Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila on February 3, 2023.
Brig. Gen. Crespillo—who represented Army Chief Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr.—and Group Captain Walcot discussed forging closer security and defense ties between the two nations. The two leaders also tackled bolstering areas of collaboration in the land domain such as military training and education.
It can be recalled that a team of Philippine Army Scout Rangers received a Silver Medal citation at the pre-pandemic Exercise Cambrian Patrol (Ex CP) 2019 held in Wales, United Kingdom. Ex CP, considered as the British Army’s premier patrolling event, involves mission-focused and scenario-based exercises geared at enhancing participating units' operational capabilities.
The British Government recently appointed a resident Defense Attaché to the Philippines based at the British Embassy in Manila from the previous Brunei-based non-resident attaché. This change was in line with the British Government's 2021 Integrated Review of Foreign and Security Policy which shifts its strategic direction to the Indo-Pacific Region.
Photos by Pvt Divino S Lozano PA/ OACPA