DEFENSE CHRONICLE VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 2018 I 1 2 I VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 2018 DEFENSE CHRONICLE 2 I VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 2018 DEFENSE CHRONICLE DEFENSE CHIEFS OF INDONESIA, MALAYSIA AND THE PHILIPPINES MEET IN MANILA Extension of trilateral cooperation seen he defense ministers of maritime command centers (MCCs) domain, in addition to maritime and Indonesia, Malaysia, and in Tarakan, Tawau, and Tawi-Tawi, air domains. Tthe Philippines gathered which play an important role in in Manila for a trilateral meeting on coordinating trilateral patrols and The trilateral meeting September 14 , 2018 at the Department facilitating information sharing. As follows the brief meeting among the of National Defense (DND), to continue a move forward, the ministers also three Ministers on the sidelines of the discussions on the Trilateral Cooperative expressed openness to deploying Arrangement (TCA) as well as trilateral in Singapore. The defense ministers counter-terrorism cooperation. year. ofShangri-La Indonesia Dialogue and Malaysia on June arrived 2, 2018 in liaison officers to the MCCs by next Manila on September 12, 2018. The Philippine Secretary of Against the background following day, the Defense Minister of of a growing threat of terrorism in Malaysia and the Chief of Education and Malaysian and Indonesian Southeast Asia, the defense ministers and Training Agency of the Ministry defenseNational Defenseministers Delfin Mohamad Lorenzana bin underscored the importance of Defense of Indonesia visited Marawi further strengthening the ground forces of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the current efforts towards the recovery TCASabu toand address Ryamizard issues ofRyacudu mutual Philippines, other than sustaining ofCity Marawi and receivedas well as a on briefing the role onof concernemphasized amidst the a significancecomplex maritime of the the trilateral intelligence exchanges the Armed Forces of the Philippines environment in the sub-region. on terrorism. In line with this, the (AFP) in the rehabilitation efforts. Relatedly, the three defense ministers defense ministers agreed to explore the extension of the trilateral connectivity among all the three cooperation to include the land agreed to prioritize enhancing the E D DEFENSE CHRONICLE VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 2018 I ITO 3 R IAL Editor-in-Chief Miriam G. Albao News Editor Eva B. Delos Santos Artist Jasmin Michelle L. Añana Media Relations Prime S. Berunia Finance Nelson L. Gallarde Contributors Public Diplomacy Section, Embassy of the Philippines, Washington D.C. Office of the Assistant Secretary for BETWEEN FRIENDS Assesments and International Affairs (OASAIA, DND), Giorla A. Negre, Public Affairs Service, DND Featured in this issue of the Filipino World War II Veterans based Photographers Defense Chronicle are highlights in the Philippines received their long- Renato P. Alba SSg Saudi S Yusop PAF of some of the friendships that the awaited recognition from the US SSg Avelino A Velasco Jr PA country has made – past, present, and government just this September 2018. Pinky A. Fernandez possibly way into the future – and how So after seven decades of waiting it is these would matter today and beyond. such a historic event when they were Support Service One of which is that with awarded the Congressional Gold Medal SSg Anthony B Cadiz the United States. Defense Secretary at the US Embassy in Manila. The CGM Sgt Isidro R Areja is the highest civilian honor conferred Sgt Celso P Castromayor Cpl Danilo G Laguitan by the United States Congress Shella D. Sonogan theDelfin Philippines’ Lorenzana defense visited chief.Pentagon He was for for an individual’s distinguished Lyn Tropa the first time, halfway into his term as achievements and contributions for Public Affairs Offices of Mattis with a full honor cordon at the the US. Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine UShosted Department by US Secretary of Defense. of Defense A bilateral Jim The trilateral relations among Army, Philippine Navy/Philippine Marine meeting between their respective the defense ministers of Indonesia, Corps, Philippine Air Force delegations was held and discussed Malaysia, and the Philippines is also one were defense and security matters of of the main features of this issue as the mutual interest. defense chiefs gathered in Manila for Public Affairs Service (PAS) Evident during the visit is the a meeting to continue discussions on Department of National Defense enduring history of close engagements the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement PAS Building, Natividad Avenue Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, between the two nations. (TCA) as well as trilateral counter- Quezon City 1110 Another example of this terrorism cooperation. The DND is Tel: (+632) 982-5679 long history of engagement is how looking forward to more of this meetings Fax: (+632) 911-7113 Email: [email protected] Filipino soldiers fought together with with Malaysian and Indonesian defense American troops during World War ministers Mohamad bin Sabu and II. Some of these Filipino soldiers had been given due recognition and accomplishments of ongoing efforts as A CREDIBLE DEFENSE ORGANIZATION, wellRyamizard as address Ryacudu other toissues build of onmutual the A RELIABLE PARTNER IN NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND A STRATEGIC PLAYER IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION from the US government. But some concern. received benefits for their service 4 I VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 2018 DEFENSE CHRONICLE assistance if necessary. He also commended the courage and liberating Marawi. sacrifice of Filipino troops in “Once again, the United States was proud to support you and we will always be proud to stand with the Filipino people to support our shared vision of a safe, secure, prosperous, and free Indo said. Pacific region,” Secretary Mattis On 19 September, Secretary State Michael Pompeo and both Lorenzana met US Secretary of commitment to the Mutual Defenseofficials reaffirmedTreaty of their1951. mutualTheir conversation also touched on the SECRETARY LORENZANA and the situation in the South China UNDERSCORES STRONG Sea.denuclearization Secretary Pompeo of North expressed Korea PH-US ALLIANCE ON condolences for the devastation caused by Typhoon Ompong and 1ST OFFICIAL VISIT TO WASHINGTON offered US assistance in extending disaster relief. Secretary Pompeo also committed to support the ASHINGTON, “Most in our defense D.C. – Philippine establishments agree that the efforts. WSecretary of Philippines-US alliance remains Philippines’ defense modernization robust based on an enduring While in Washington, reiterated the Philippines’ history of close engagement and commitmentNational Defense to Delfinthe Philippines- Lorenzana our unwavering commitment to with Republican Senators Cory work together on shared values,” GardnerSecretary ofLorenzana Colorado also and engaged Dan visit in the US capital as defense Sullivan of Alaska in separate secretaryUS alliance onduring 18-20 his firstSeptember official counterpart during the meeting at meetings. The Secretary exchanged 2018. theSecretary Pentagon. Lorenzana told his US sympathies with the legislators for the victims of Hurricane Florence On 18 September, Secretary The meeting’s wide- in the United States and Typhoon ranging discussion tackled bilateral Ompong in the Philippines. cooperation on counterterrorism, Senator Gardner, Chairman of the withLorenzana a full honorwas cordonhosted at bythe US maritime security and humanitarian Senate Subcommittee on East DepartmentSecretary of Defenseof Defense, James N.followed Mattis assistance and disaster relief, as well by a bilateral meeting between Cybersecurity Policy, and Senator their respective delegations. The Armed Forces of the Philippines. Sullivan,Asia, the a Pacific, prominent and member International of the as the defense modernization of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Secretary Mattis expressed both highlighted the importance two defense officials last met on the solidarity with the Philippines of the Philippines-US alliance in sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in the wake of Typhoon Ompong maintaining regional peace and in Singapore in June 2018. (international name: Mangkhut) and pledged readiness to extend stability in the Indo Pacific. DEFENSE CHRONICLE VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3 2018 I 5 “He was also able to was also able to meet with clearly communicate the priorities members Secretary of Washington’s Lorenzana of the Duterte Administration. business and think tank The Department of Foreign communities at round table- Affairs under the leadership of lunch meetings hosted by the Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano US-Philippines Society and and the Philippine Embassy will the Center for Strategic and be certain to build on this visit’s International Studies. positive results,” Ambassador Philippine Ambassador RomualdezThe added. other members of accompanied the Secretary in the the Philippine delegation include latter’sto the US engagements. Jose Manuel Romualdez DND Assistant Secretary for Assessment and International Affairs (ASAIA) Teodoro Cirilo assured US leaders that while Torralba III; Deputy Chief of “Secretary Lorenzana Mission Patrick Chuasoto, other defense partnerships andthe Philippines is exploring has revitalizednew ones Guloy, Philippine Defense and with non-traditional partners ArmedPhilippine Forces Embassy; Attaché, COL. Philippine Marlo in line with its independent US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo discuss PH-US bilateral cooperationPhilippine Secretary in Washington of National D.C. on Defense 19 September Delfin Lorenzana 2018. and foreign policy, this does Ms. Faysaleyyah