The Philippine Army said Sunday, Dec. 5, that it hopes to foster a stronger security cooperation with the army and defense units of Indonesia.
Army vice commander Maj. Gen. Henry Doyaen recently hosted Indonesia’s outgoing and incoming defense attaches, Col. Muhammad Reza Suud and Col. Bambang Wijonarko, as well as their outgoing and incoming army attaches, Sigit Himawan Sutanto and Col. Wahyu Akhadi, at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
During the joint exit and introductory call of the Indonesian officials, Doyaen highlighted the importance of Jakarta as “a strong partner” of the Philippine Army in security cooperation in the region.
He also expressed interest to further strengthen the bilateral engagements of both armies under the leadership of the new Indonesian Army attache, Col. Akhadi.
Meanwhile, Col. Suud thanked Doyaen for the support extended to him by the Army during his stint as Indonesia’s defense attache to the Philippines.
Col. Wijonarko, for his part, reaffirmed the strong commitment of the Indonesian Army in fostering closer military ties with the Philippine Army.
Last month, the armies of both countries held a joint virtual two-week training activity geared at boosting their capability and interoperability in urban and jungle warfare special operations.