PH, Germany armed forces strengthen military ties in Munich conference

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and German Armed Forces have reinforced their commitment to closer military cooperation during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany over the weekend.
AFP Chief, General Romeo Brawner Jr. and General Carsten Breuer, chief of the Defense Forces of Germany, held high-level discussions on expanding collaboration in key areas such as cyber warfare, military education and training, and maritime cooperative activities during the conference held last Friday, Feb. 14.
“This engagement marks enhancing the interoperability and capabilities in addressing shared security challenges between the two parties,” Col. Xerxes Trinidad, said Sunday, Feb. 16.
According to the AFP, the strengthened cooperation between the AFP and the German Armed Forces aligns with the Philippines’ broader efforts to fortify international defense partnerships and maintain regional stability.
The AFP has increased its engagements with its foreign counterparts amid the tense security situation in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) due to China’s recent activities.
Last Feb. 13, Rear Admiral Guillaume Pinget, French Joint Commander for Asia Pacific, also paid a courtesy visit at Camp Aguinaldo to discuss enhancing defense capabilities and expanding bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and France.
China has maintained its coast guard ships off the coast of Zambales since January, its deployment lasting for more than a month now.
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel BRP Bagacay took over from BRP Cabra to maintain continuous vigilance against the illegal presence of China Coast Guard vessel “5303”, which replaced CCG-3105, off the coast of Zambales.
PCG spokesperson for WPS, Commodore Jay Tarriela said BRP Cabra returned to port for logistical reasons after a week-long deployment at sea.
“The BRP Bagacay, a 44-meter patrol vessel, has successfully pushed the CCG-3105 further away, establishing a distance of approximately 95 nautical miles off the coast of Zambales. Meanwhile, the CCG-5303 remains in the area alongside CCG-3301, which continues to illegally patrol the vicinity of Bajo De Masinloc,” he said.