By Priam F. Nepomuceno
MANILA, Sept. 21 (PNA) — As the 16th series of Training Activity Land Malaysia-Philippines (MALPHI) formally concluded Monday, Philippine Army (PA) commander Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ano said the occasion serves to strengthen the partnership and fraternal collaboration between the two nations.
Closing ceremonies took place at the Training and Doctrine Command, Camp O’ Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.
The 16th MALPHI started last Sept. 9 and focused on inter-operability and counterinsurgency operations between the PA and Malaysian Army.
Seventy six PA personnel and 30 Malaysian soldiers will took part in the three-week activity which was held at the Peacekeeping Operations Center in Camp O’Donnell.
“General Han Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Bin Raja Mohamed Noor, I thank you for your full support, commitment and involvement in this joint effort,” he said.
Ano also expressed his gratitude to participants representing the local government units here in Tarlac.
He added that it is heartening to know that we have the civil government’s support and trust for the Army’s joint activities.
“Over the years, the Malaysian Army and the Philippine Army have constantly aligned its efforts to bolster our alliance for the attainment of global excellence. This activity has indeed contributed much into the attainment of our goals and the fulfillment of maintaining and sustaining peace and progress within our region. As neighboring countries and members of the ASEAN Community, it is vital we march our armies towards stronger inter-operability to fortify the bilateral status of our countries and armies. With the help of events such as this we can also promote regional resiliency,” Ano pointed out.
The PA chief added that the Land MALPHI exercise has become a venue for both nations to continuously work together to address the various defense and security challenges confronting their respective armies.
“I am reassured that with allies such as Malaysia, addressing emerging regional complexities and existing security concerns will be more effective,” he stressed.
The two-week activity has enhanced coordination, team work, and cohesion of our participating teams in improving the conduct of humanitarian assistance disaster relief (HADR) operations.
“The uneventful events and experience during Typhoon ‘Haiyan’ in November 2013 has indeed enlightened us to the importance of teamwork and cooperation during HADR. Lest we forget, the Malaysian government and the Malaysian people were among the first to respond and provide humanitarian and disaster assistance to the victims of Typhoon ‘Haiyan’. We, Filipinos, are and will always be grateful for the help extended by Malaysia at that time. Terima kasih,” he added.
Ano said the synergy and teamwork during the training proper enabled us to share expertise and experience s, especially during the situational training exercise and disaster rescue incidents with medical inject and shoring. (PNA)