Scout Rangers, Indonesia Special Forces end weeklong joint training in Bulacan

The Army’s First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSSR) and a unit of the Indonesian Army wrapped up on Monday their specialized training at the headquarters of the Army’s elite unit in Bulacan.

Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the “Training Activity Dolphine XV-23” involving the FSSR and Indonesian Army’s Komando Cadangan Strategis Angkatan Darat (Kostrad) was capped following a weeklong exercise.

At least 40 Filipino and Indonesian soldiers trained side by side in jungle warfare operations, urban operations and sniping operations during the training.

The Training Activity Dolphine XV-23 was held with the principal aim of bolstering the tactics, techniques and procedures as well as sustaining the existing partnership between the two ground forces.

FSSR commander Brig. Gen. Freddie Dela Cruz, the closing ceremony’s guest of honor and speaker, highlighted the successful attainment of the training activity’s goals.

he led the presentation of certificates to the participants and a token of gratitude to the Indonesian Army delegation.

Last year, Filipino Scout Rangers and their Indonesian counterparts trained side by side in counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations at the Taipur Military Camp, Cilodong and Sangga Buana Training Site in Karawang, West Java, Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and Canada has deepened their security and defense relations following a meeting between Department of National Defense Officer-in-charge Carlito Galvez Jr. and Canada’s Ambassador to the Philippines David Bruce hartman last week.

DND spokesman Arsenio “Popong” Andolong said Galvez and hartman discussed the two countries’ partnership in the areas of defense, commerce, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Andolong said among the areas of cooperation that Galvez suggested for both countries to collaborate on is strengthening capacities on cybersecurity given the need to secure confidential computer data systems from unauthorized access, data leakage, malware, among others.

The DND spokesman noted that Canada was among the observer-countries in the latest iteration of the Philippines-us Balikatan exercises held last month.

“Along this line, the OIC, DND expressed confidence that bilateral relations between the two countries will continue to progress as both countries will commemorate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024,” Andolong said.

During the meeting, hartman explained Canada’s Indo-pacific Strategy, which offers initiatives and collaborative engagements in the region.