The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is adamant to strengthen its already robust military ties with Thailand amid prevailing security concerns in the Southeast Asian region and the threat of COVID-19 pandemic around the world.
This was the highlight of a top-level meeting after Group Captain Panlowat Intaravised, Defense and Air Attache of Thailand to the Philippines, paid a courtesy call to AFP Chief of Staff General Gilbert Gapay at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Oct. 8.
Gapay was represented by Rear Admiral Erick Kagaoan, AFP deputy chief of staff.
In a statement, the AFP said the courtesy call was a chance to promote cooperation and dialogue between the two countries’ armed forces especially in the context of regional peace and security.
“Let us continue to strengthen our relationship focused on our mutual interest of ensuring security and stability in the region,” Kagaoan said.
The Philippines and Thailand have long been allies, with a Treaty of Friendship signed by the two countries in 1949.
In 2015, various agreements on the Terms of Reference for the Working Group of the Philippine Army and Royal Thai Army were signed, enhancing the military cooperation of Manila and Bangkok.
Just last Sept. 25, the Thai government donated two negative pressure isolation rooms to the Department of National Defense (DND) to help in the immediate recovery of Filipino veteran soldiers who have been infected with COVID-19.