PA and USARPAC forge stronger ties during 11th IPACC

PA and USARPAC

FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila –The Philippine Army (PA) and the US Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) forged stronger ties during the 11th Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs (IPACC) Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday, Sept. 9, 2019.

The PA Commanding General Macairog S. Alberto and the Acting Commander of the USARPAC Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson had a bilateral meeting during the IPACC. The two expressed their concern on the recent suicide bombings as well as the terrorism threat in the Philippines.

The success of the army-to-army exercises between PA and USAPAC known as Salaknib held early this year was also discussed. This opened the possible inclusion of a joint Airborne Operations Training and Exercise on the next iteration of Salaknib.

Salaknib was first conducted in 2015. It was then a bilateral exercise. Now, the activity transformed into an army training exchange which aims to enhance the skill and competencies of the participants in counter-terrorist operations.

USARPAC reiterated its commitment to extend all the support that it can provide to help the Philippine Army in facing its current security threats.

The IPACC is an annual event that brings together the army leaders across the Indo- Pacific region to address mutual interests and challenges. It aims to promote peace and stability in the region through “mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship.”

“The Philippine Army engages in military diplomacy, especially the bilateral exchanges among the senior leaders in the Indo-Pacific region, to strengthen ties and cooperation among the armies which is needed to better protect the peace and security in our country and the region,” said Lt. Col. Ramon P. Zagala, Army Spokesperson.#