The Philippines and Thailand have agreed to deepen their military relations through conducting more service-to-service dialogue mechanisms, the Department of National Defense said Monday.
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said the expansion of longstanding defense relations between both countries was realized when DND Assistant Secretary for Strategic Assessments and International Affairs Pablo Lorenzo recently met with Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence of Thailand’s Ministry of Defence, General Nuchit Sribunsong in Bangkok.
Lorenzo co-chaired with Sribunsong during the 4th Philippines-Thailand Joint Committee on Military Cooperation (JCMC) meeting last 27 June.
During the meeting, Andolong said both co-chairs reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the 1997 Philippines-Thailand Memorandum of Understanding on Military Cooperation.
They also underscored the importance of annually convening the JCMC meeting.
Lorenzo and Sribunsong discussed the current status of Philippines-Thailand defense cooperation and multilateral cooperation as they explored partnerships on maritime security, cyber security, military medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and the defense industry, among others.
“The two officials exchanged views and insights on the developments in the region, challenges and potential cooperation on cyber security, and the importance of enhancing capabilities on maritime security,” Andolong told reporters.
Both sides welcomed the crafting of the proposed Philippines-Thailand Defense Engagement Plan for CY 2023-2024, which will outline the list of activities to be conducted by both countries with short, medium, and long-term goals.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and Thailand recognized the importance of participating in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
ASEAN serves as the stabilizing mechanism and central platform for promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Both countries reaffirmed commitment to further strengthen cooperation with fellow ASEAN Member States, particularly under the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus,” Andolong stated.
Lorenzo invited Sribunsong along with the entire Thai delegation to visit the Philippines for the 5th JMC meeting slated in 2024—coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Thailand diplomatic relations.
“Both officials looked forward to further strengthening defense and military relations,” Andolong noted.
Prior to the meeting, the Philippine delegation also rendered a courtesy call on General Sanichanog Sangkachantra, Permanent Secretary for Defence, Ministry of Defence of Thailand, where the Assistant Secretary welcomed Thailand’s commitment to developing defense relations between the two countries.