LTGEN BARTOLOME VICENTE O BACARRO PA, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and ADMIRAL JOHN C AQUILINO, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command co-chaired the 2022 Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB)on 27 September 2022.
The Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board was created to tackle traditional and non-traditional security concerns faced by both the Philippines and the United States as partners. It is composed of key leaders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of National Defense, and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
During this year's MDB-SEB Meeting, the Co-chairs reaffirmed their mutual commitment and obligation to the PH-US alliance in order to pursue the intent of 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty of coming to each other support in addressing all security concerns. The agenda covered matters of security cooperation activities and the strategic vision including maritime security, information sharing, and capacity and capability development, among others. The productive discussions also opened opportunities for more robust engagements which will increase the pace of military-to-military engagement including annual bilateral exercises aimed to enhance inter-operability of both armed forces.
LTGEN BACARRO and ADM AQUILINO also agreed to the conclusion of the Implementing Guidelines to operationalize Maritime Security Framework designed to reinvigorate essential activities of maritime security awareness. Likewise, both leaders expressed their commitment to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure and facilities projects under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). Finally, the meeting resulted to the assurance of the INDOPACOM’s support to the AFP Modernization by providing and soliciting additional aid through the Foreign Military Financing to the Philippines.
