CITY OF SAN FERNANDO --- The 26th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM), an annual army shooting competition among the 10 Asean countries, recently concluded in a farewell dinner held Thursday at the LausGroup Event Centre in this city.
The meet was attended by hundreds of delegates composed of commanding officers and chiefs of land forces from all 10 Asean countries including the Philippines –the host for this year’s event which kicked off last November 28.
Philippine Army Public Affairs Chief Col. Benjamin Hao noted that AARM is a competition intended to be a meeting point where participants can explore their potential in an atmosphere of healthy competition while also serving to bolster ties of friendship and understanding.
He stressed that the Philippine Army’s major thrust is international engagement, laying important foundation for long-run cooperation with its partners.
“Building confidence between partners is an important part of defense external affairs, and the Philippine Army remains committed to the strengthening of Asean military cooperation and is one with the peace-loving Asean community for the promotion of a code of conduct within the Asean community in order to continue to foster regional stability, peace, and prosperity,” he said.
“We have prepared very well for this meet, and we can proudly say that we gave our best to show our ASEAN military neighbors that indeed, we have improved in all aspects, especially in our defense capabilities. Aside from that, we also showed the true Filipino hospitality that is our blueprint,” he added.
He announced that the Philippines finished in a respectable third place among the 10 ASEAN countries, after Indonesia and Thailand who finished in first and second, respectively.
The 10 ASEAN countries took part in competitions in five categories: rifle, carbine, pistol men, pistol ladies, and machine gun.
The chief said that participating to such concrete cooperation activities and programs help the Philippines elevate its status in the international arena.
He added that the Philippine Army is focused on its mandate and vision to become a world-class Army that is a source of national pride.
“In line with our Army Transformation Roadmap, by 2022, we will become a modern and respected Army in Asia that is well equipped, fully capable, and at par with our ASEAN neighbors. We are committed to transform the Army into a more responsive, reliable, and professional organization firmly protecting our national interests,” he said.
To celebrate and send off the contingents, the Philippine Army hosted several musical and dance performances from Igmamuru Dance Troupe, El Gamma Penumbra, PA Symphonic Band, PA Chorale, and Filipino folk singer Freddie Aguilar. A fireworks display then concluded the farewell event.