Philippines, US defense officials discuss AFP upgrade, intel sharing

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine defense officials and the newly designated US deputy assistant secretary of defense for South and Southeast Asia discussed the planned capability upgrade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the conclusion of an intelligence-sharing agreement with the US Department of Defense.

Department of National Defense (DND) spokesman Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the AFP upgrading capability and conclusion of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of this year were discussed during the first visit of Assistant Secretary Laura Updegrove and ranking Philippine defense officials on Oct. 17.

Updegrove, who was joined by other key officials of the US Defense Department during her introductory engagement with Philippine officials, met with Defense Undersecretary for strategic assessment and planning Ignacio Madriaga and Undersecretary for administration Gavin Edjawan.

Madrigal and Updegrove discussed the implementation of the Philippines-Security Assistance Roadmap to address much-needed capability upgrade of the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard, and the conclusion of the GSOMIA to enable real-time exchange of classified intelligence and information.

Reaffirming the ironclad alliance between the Philippines and the US, both sides explored ways in meeting the bilateral defense priorities based on the outcomes of the 4th Two-Plus-Two Ministerial Dialogue last July.

Defense officials of the two countries are set to meet again during the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos next month.

‘Just like our forebears’

Commemorating the Leyte Landing 80 years ago, Speaker Martin Romualdez gave assurance yesterday the government will fight China’s encroachment in the West Philippine Sea the same way gallant Filipinos did during World War II.

“Just as our forefathers fought side by side with allies in the past, today, we strengthen our alliances with like-minded nations to defend the principles of freedom and democracy,” the leader of the 310-member strong House of Representatives reiterated.

The event, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Landings, was held Oct. 20 at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo, Leyte. — Delon Porcalla