44th Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar and 6th Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum begin
MANILA – With the COVID-19 pandemic still threatening everyone, the Philippine Army (PA) and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) opened its 44th Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and the 6th Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF) via video conferences today at Fort Bonifacio in suburban Manila.
In a statement from the Philippine Army, it was learned the two-day event will showcase the best practices and strategies by the participating Indo-Pacific Armies in addressing challenges in urban environments and at the same time fostering closer ties despite the pandemic.
“Given the challenges we are all facing, urban security presents to us a different challenge than when we tackle regional and national security as a whole. It reveals non-traditional security challenges that really calls for new perspectives and international cooperation,” said Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana in his keynote speech.
Commanding General USARPAC General Paul LaCamera expressed his appreciation to all the participants as he conveyed his confidence for the continuous building of trust around the region as the armies share their unique perspective and experiences in attending to urban environment threats.
Social Welfare and Development Undersecretary Danilo Pamonag, formerly the Special Operations Command chief talked about the Philippine Army’s urban warfare experience during the 2017 Marawi Siege. Japan Ground Self Defence Force Major General Masayoshi Arai, Brig. General Gi Hoon Lim from the Republic of Korea Army talked about understanding urban environments in the 21st century by citing their respective approaches against threats in the urban landscape.
Singapore’s Col. Dai Dexian talked about armies operations in urban environment along with Major General Abdulla Shamaal of the Maldives Chief of Defense and Dr. Rosalie Hall from the University of the Philippines-Visayas.
“Multilateral engagements among the Indo-Pacific armies foster stronger relations and stability. This collaboration also helps the Indo-Pacific region confront multi-dimensional issues at greater strength,” said Army Commanding General Lt. General Cirilito E. Sobejana.
He added multilateral issues can be addressed with multilateral solutions. (Melo M. Acuña)
Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana delivering his keynote address; General Paul J. LaCamera (center) delivers his remarks and Philippine Army chief Lt. General Cirilito E. Sobejana (right) talks to the delegates from the Indo-Pacific Armies/. (Philippine Army photos)
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