The Commanding General, Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. highlighted the importance of multilateral training and exercise among like-minded armies during the Association of the U.S. Army’s Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC) Symposium and Exposition in Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A. on May 18, 2023.
Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, in his keynote remarks entitled "The Current State of Multi-lateral Training and Exercise in the Indo-Pacific", said that international engagement from like-minded nations is crucial in today’s regional and global security landscape. Partners become stronger by working together and potential adversaries could be deterred by having a “united front” shown during military exercises, he noted.
The CGPA also cited crucial roles of the Army which include defending the land from any form of aggression or attack emanating from all domains; continuing counter-terrorism roles; serving as the first responder to disaster-prone regions; supporting national development initiatives; and participating in international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions.
“Common roles of armies in the Indo-Pacific present opportunities for multilateral engagements to serve mutually beneficial needs. Like-minded armies enhance their capabilities and complement operational support through multilateral training by accelerating the learning curve in identifying gaps and developing new capabilities. In the case of the Philippines, its Army is a relatively new entrant in multilateral training. Efforts are still being undertaken to expand multilateral engagements with other countries.” Lt. Gen. Brawner said.
The Army Chief likewise noted that the current international engagements of the Philippine Army have been reaping benefits for the country such as materiel solutions, capacity-building, threat reduction programs, maritime security projects, and international military training and education programs.
LANPAC is an annual professional development forum sponsored by the Association of the United States Army and supported by the U.S. Army Pacific.
#Photos and screenshots from the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA)