Army chief to strengthen ties with Australian army

Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto is now in Thailand for a bilateral meeting with the Australian Army that seeks to continue enhancing bilateral relationship between the two forces.

He and Australian Army Chief Lt. Gen. Richard Maxwell Burr are attending the 2019 Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference in Bangkok.

The meeting between the two armies focused on the discussion of regional cooperation in addressing evolving threats, security challenges, and sustaining peace in both countries.

Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said Alberto shared the Philippine government’s effort in supporting the Armed Forces of the Philippines through amendment of laws supporting anti-terrorism operations.

He said the Philippine Army chief also introduced the concept of the Brigade Combat Team and the Philippine Army’s senior leaders gathering to discuss hybrid, future, and current threats as one of the command’s strategies and best practices.

Burr, on the other hand, mentioned that the Philippine Army’s experience is “illuminating (the) Australian Army.”

Zagala said Burr expressed his support to the intelligence efforts of the Philippine Army as well as in both armies’ commitment and shared efforts in preparing future-ready land force in their respective countries.

Alberto, during the meetings, also extended the Philippine Army’s invitation for further discussions and cooperation.

“The Philippine Army’s participation on mutual discussions and cooperation with other countries is important in leading both armies to learn new perspectives and skills needed in facing current and future security threats in the regional and international zones,” Zagala said.