Indian Armed Forces War College visits Philippine Army headquarters

September 27, 2019

Delegates from Indian Armed Forces Army War College (IAF-AWC) visited the Philippine Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on Thursday.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Philippine Army spokesman said, the PA and the IAF-AWC expressed future commitments to strengthen both forces’ capabilities.

“PA Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Reynaldo Aquino and IAF-AWC 48th Higher Command Course delegation head Maj. Gen. Mandip Singh offered training and programs that will enhance both Filipino and Indian troops’ abilities in countering insurgencies,” he said.

The Army offered Command and General Staff Course, Career and Service Course, Civil-Military Courses and other exchange training, said Zagala.

IAF-AWC mentioned to support the PA through facilitation of aircraft familiarization since the PA is currently establishing its aviation regiment,  Zagala added.

“Aquino also shared the command’s strategies anchored on Preventing and countering violent extremism after Singh identifies similar terrorism problems in India and the Philippines, particularly in the Mindanao region, where insurgencies arise due to extreme ideologies.” said Zagala.

“During the forum highlighting PA’s Marawi experience, IAF-AWC delegates learned PA’s intensified civil-military operations as an integral part in ending the said crisis. PA officers also reiterated the importance of advancing its aviation functions and other technologies to augment the capability gap learned during Marawi,” he said.

He said Aquino also emphasized the importance of the activity on enhancement of bilateral cooperation between the two forces.

“Our transformation journey has taught us to put a premium on the knowledge and expertise that we learn from our allies and counterparts in the defense establishment,” Aquino said.

“I am confident that through this activity (foreign academic travel), the bilateral cooperation between our two institutions will continue to strengthen,” he added. Robina Asido/DMS