CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) successfully co-presided over the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board Standing Committees’ Meeting (SCM) at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, from 05 to 06 March 2026, reaffirming the strength and adaptability of the Philippines–US alliance amid evolving regional security challenges.
Speaking on behalf of the Philippine delegation, Brigadier General Paulo Teodoro PAF, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, AJ5, expressed his deep appreciation to the USINDOPACOM delegation led by Colonel Andrew Dubois USAF, Chief, South/Southeast Asia Policy Division for their participation and to all presenters for the clarity and professionalism of their briefings. The discussions produced a robust set of recommendations and deliverables that will be consolidated in a Memorandum for the Record and refined in preparation for the J5-led Executive Committee (EXECOM) Meeting in June 2026 in Hawaii.
Brig. Gen. Teodoro and Col. Dubois underscored the importance of sustaining momentum through continuous coordination, emphasizing that close collaboration between AFP and US forces is essential to remain “Equal and Capable”- our relationship remains strong because we treat each other as equals, and together we are capable, amid rapid technological change, gray-zone activities, and complex security concerns. He expressed confidence that the outcomes of this SCM will translate into actionable plans and tangible results that further enhance interoperability, readiness, and combined effectiveness.///
