PH, US defense execs discuss AFP upgrade, intel pact conclusion
Posted: 2024-Oct-21 14.21 +0800
IRONCLAD ALLIANCE. US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for South and Southeast Asia Laura Updegrove (left) shakes hands with DND Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning Ignacio Madriaga (right) during their meeting at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Oct. 17, 2024. The two officials discussed the current progress of the Philippines-US defense alliance. (DND/PNA)
MANILA – Ranking Philippine and American defense officials discussed the much-needed upgrade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the possible conclusion of the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) by the end of this year, the Department of National Defense (DND) said on Monday.
This came following the first ever visit of US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for South and Southeast Asia Laura Updegrove and other ranking officials from the Department of Defense (DoD) on Oct. 17, DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.
Updegrove was welcomed by DND Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning Ignacio Madriaga and Undersecretary for Administration Gavin Edjawan.
"This is the first visit to the Philippines of DASD Updegrove upon assuming her position. Aside from the visit serving as her introductory engagement with DND officials, it also provided an opportunity to discuss the current progress of the Philippines-US defense alliance, as well as exchange views on the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea and the wider South China Sea," Andolong said.
During the meeting, Madriaga underscored the importance of working closely with allies and like-minded partners in pursuing a collective approach to upholding the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific Region.
"He (Madriaga) welcomed the continuous conduct of the maritime cooperative activities (MCAS), both bilaterally between the Philippines and the US, and multilaterally with other partners, with the latest multilateral MCA held last Sept. 27, 2024," Andolong added.
Reaffirming the ironclad alliance between the Philippines and the United States, both sides explored ways to meet the bilateral defense priorities based on the outcomes of the 4th Two-Plus-Two Ministerial Dialogue last July.
"The two officials discussed the implementation of the Philippines-Security (Sector) Assistance Roadmap (P-SSAR) to address much-needed capability upgrade of the AFP and the PCG, as well as the conclusion of the GSOMIA by the end of the year, with the view of enabling real-time exchange of classified intelligence and information," Andolong said.
Defense officials of the Philippines and the US are set to meet again during the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Vientiane, Laos in November. (PNA)