Teodoro, US Joint Chiefs chair meet to deepen defense ties

MANILA, Philippines, November 7 ------ Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro Jr. met with United States' Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine to discuss ongoing efforts to strengthen defense cooperation, days after both countries launched Task Force Philippines to boost deterrence in the South China Sea.

Caine paid a courtesy call on Teodoro at the Department of National Defense headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The meeting also followed Teodoro’s talks last week with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in Kuala Lumpur, where the two announced the creation of the task force on the sidelines of a meeting among ASEAN defense ministers.

In a statement, the DND said the visit “underscored the sustained momentum of key leader engagements and the enduring Philippines–U.S. defense alliance.” Teodoro and Caine discussed the progress of defense initiatives under the alliance and ways to “further operationalize” bilateral and multilateral cooperation, according to the DND.

Talks covered expanding interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US forces, strengthening information-sharing mechanisms, and improving joint humanitarian and disaster response operations. Both sides “reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a robust and mutually beneficial defense partnership anchored on shared values, regional stability, and the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region,” the DND said.

Caine also expressed condolences to the families of the six Air Force personnel who died in a helicopter crash in Agusan del Sur on November 4 and conveyed US support for ongoing disaster relief efforts following the onslaught of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi). Caine also met separately on Thursday with AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., who thanked the United States for its consistent support in humanitarian and disaster response operations. “The meeting highlighted the enduring partnership between the Philippines and the United States, emphasizing their shared commitment to enhancing regional resilience, strengthening disaster response capabilities, and safeguarding peace and security,” the AFP said in a statement.

Teodoro and Hegseth unveiled Task Force Philippines on October 31 to “reestablish deterrence” in the South China Sea and improve readiness to respond to crises or acts of aggression. The two defense chiefs also completed an Alliance Readiness Action Plan, which sets key defense priorities for the next two years, including enhancing capabilities and expanding joint military activities with regional partners.

Source: philstar.com