Lt. Gen. Aurelio B. Baladad (Ret)

‘Choklat’ boys: The PH Humanitarian Support Mission to East Timor (PhilHSMET)

September 01, 2024 10:05 pm

On the 25th anniversary of the PhilHSMET, I keep thinking of how this mission changed the lives and careers of those who joined this contingent. We embarked on a journey that went beyond a regular military mission, honoring the promise of then-President Joseph Ejercito Estrada (PJEE) to send Filipino troops to assist East Timor in 1999. In this journey, we were not simply soldiers but agents of change, entering a nation torn apart by tragedy.

The West Philippine Sea challenges and opportunities

August 04, 2024 11:14 pm

The uncertainties amid the West Philippine Sea (WPS) issue are critical because they present both attractive potential and significant challenges. To tackle these concerns, a broad approach that examines a tight balance between the modernization of the defense, forming alliances with international and regional partners aligned with our advocacies, and engaging diplomatically is critical. Let’s examine the outcomes, challenges, and opportunities that the nation has in handling this delicate geopolitical situation.