ASEAN fortifies stance vs terrorism

Top military officials from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries agreed to unite against terrorism which has been considered a security threat and concern in the region.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Public Affairs Office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said that the military chiefs from the ASEAN member states signed the Joint Statement aimed at enhancing joint military exercises and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capacities during their recent meeting in Manila.

They also reaffirmed the move to formalize the ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM), which was first agreed upon by all Chiefs of Defence Forces during the 12th ACDFIM held in Malaysia in 2015, to become a mechanism to counter the spread of violent ideologies and create a coordinated response to non-traditional threats such as disasters.

AFP Chief of Staff General Eduardo Año pushed for the formalization of the ACDFIM, which was echoed by military chiefs in attendance to ensure integrated and coordinated efforts.

Año also led the call for the enhancement of cooperation and collaboration among the ASEAN member states’ armed forces for a more secure and stable region.

During the plenary session of the 14th ACDFIM on Thursday, Año stressed the importance of securing ASEAN as a whole given its economic leverage and potential.

“ASEAN has become a rising global economic force due to its strategic location and economic activity. It has abundant resources, a more integrated market, and a large combined GDP from its members,” Año said.