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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Brawner wants South Korea's inclusion in 'Squad'

Brawner wants South Korea's inclusion in 'Squad'

Published Feb 12, 2025 08:01 am
Romeo brawner jr.jpg
General Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, delivers a speech during the 89th founding anniversary of the AFP at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Dec. 20, 2024. (Courtesy of AFP)

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. is keen on having South Korea in the “Squad,” a multilateral security partnership formed by the Philippines with the United States, Australia, and Japan.

Brawner believes that involving South Korea into the Squad will only strengthen the capabilities of Manila, Washington, Tokyo, and Canberra.

“We believe they also have a stake in the security aspect of the region,” Brawner said Wednesday, Feb. 12.

“Even if we say that this is an informal security architecture, we believe that more countries joining this will be beneficial because we are promoting, in fact, the same objectives, which is to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, and also a rules-based international order,” he added.

The Squad was assembled last year after a series of trilateral initiatives by the US with its treaty allies, including the Philippines, to address growing concerns about China’s assertiveness in the region.

Brawner said the multilateral security partnership aims to “strengthen each of our respective capabilities.”

“The more countries that you have on your side, the better. You become stronger as a collective group rather that individual countries with their own interests,” he noted.

The military chief believes that if South Korea is to enter the Squad, it would provide additional power to the partnership in promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and ensuring a rules-based international order.

“What we are after is an international order that is not forced by only one country but an internationally accepted rules-based security arrangement,” Brawner noted.

Last Feb. 7, a Philippine delegation composed of officials from the Department of National Defense (DND) and AFP attended the 26th Philippines-Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Committee Meeting (JCM) on Logistics and Defense Industry Cooperation in Busan, South Korea.

The DND said the discussions focused on defense modernization, technology transfer, and joint initiatives aimed at enhancing regional security. 

"The Republic of Korea reiterated its commitment to supporting the Philippines' ongoing military capability development, underscoring the importance of collaboration in addressing evolving security challenges," Defense spokesperson Asst. Sec. Arsenio Andolong said.

The Philippine delegates were led by Department of National Defense (DND) Assistant Secretary for Logistics and Acquisition Joselito B. Ramos. 

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Kang Hwan Seug of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) headed the Republic of Korea's delegation, with representatives from DAPA, the ROK defense industry, and the Korean Embassy in the Philippines.

Related Tags

Armed Forces of the Philippines AFP General Romeo Brawner Jr. Squad Goals South Korea
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