|
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
RP-Malaysia joint military exercise begins
By Reynaldo G. Navales
CLARK ECOZONE --- The Philippine-Malaysian joint military exercise called "Ex-Land Malphi 08-2006" officially started at the Philippine Air Force (PAF) City here on Monday.
Ninety-four Philippine Army (PA) troopers will be exchanging skills as they train side by side with their counterparts in the Malaysian Army, which consists of 65 personnel.
The joint military exercise will be held in selected areas here, according to Philippine Army (PA) officials.
During his speech, PA Chief Hermogenes Esperon said the military exercise is expected to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two nations. "In the furtherance of our shared goals over the years, exercise Land Malphi has been instrumental in forging our forces toward the vision of interoperability and in preserving the spirit of goodwill and cooperation between our nations," he said.
Esperon said the two countries, as members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean), have contributed to regional unity, security, and peace.
"The bonding of our troops will reveal the similarities in our cultures and the oneness of our race towards the enhancement of our goodwill and brotherhood," he also said.
For his part, Malaysian Army Chief Tan Sri Dato' Sri Abdul Aziz Bin HJ Zainal said there will be an exchange of expertise and intelligence information as regards the anti-terrorism campaign of the two nations.
"If the information is detrimental to the Philippines, we will share it with your officials. [And if] it is detrimental to Malaysia, [the Philippine military] will share it with us," the Malaysian Army chief said.
He added that the joint military exercise will not only improve the capabilities of the participants but also build a strong relationship between the two countries.
Exercise Land Malphi is part of the Scope of Cooperation in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) forged by the two countries on Sep. 26, 1994. This led to the creation of the Malaysian-Philippine Military Cooperation Working Group (MalPhi-MCWG).
(July 11, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
