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STRONG ALLIANCE. USINDOPACOM commander, Admiral John Aquilino, signs the guestbook at the Bulwagang Balangiga before his meeting with AFP chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. (right), at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday (March 12, 2024). The two officials discussed various activities and exercises aimed at boosting interoperability between Filipino and American troops. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) has committed to having more high-level engagements and exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), as part of efforts to ensure that the region remains free and open.

USINDOPACOM commander, Admiral John Aquilino, made this pledge during his meeting with AFP chief, Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday, where they discussed various activities and exercises aimed at boosting interoperability between the two militaries.

“Among those discussed were the lined-up programs and activities, including the Philippines-US ‘Balikatan’ exercises, the maritime cooperative activities, and Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites projects,” AFP public affairs office chief, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, said in a statement Tuesday night.

The two officials also tackled ways to further beef up coordination with other militaries from like-minded nations to advance the rules-based international order and secure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

No other details were available due to security reasons.

“Their meeting manifests the commitment of the AFP to its treaty ally to ensure high-level coordination and sustained implementation of programs aimed at enhancing interoperability between the two militaries,” Trinidad added.