Manila, Bangkok boost military cooperation
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Thailand reaffirmed their defense partnership on Wednesday as military and diplomatic officials from both countries gathered in Manila, underscoring cooperation amid evolving security challenges in the region.
AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. attended the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) Day reception hosted by Thai Ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor in Makati City, and lauded the “enduring friendship and defense cooperation” between Manila and Bangkok.
The reception came as Southeast Asian nations continue to navigate shifting security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, including maritime security concerns, cyber threats and the need for greater regional interoperability.
In February, the Philippines and Thailand held a high-level meeting between Philippine Defense Senior Undersecretary Irineo Espino and RTARF chief of Defense Forces Gen. Ukris Boontanondha at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the 1997 memorandum of understanding on military cooperation between the two nations.
The Philippines expressed gratitude for Thailand’s support in hosting the Command and General Staff Course for AFP officers, while Thailand reiterated its support for the Philippines’ Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) 2026 chairmanship, particularly in initiatives under the Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus.
The AFP’s continued participation in Cobra Gold, the largest US-Thailand bilateral exercise, was also highlighted as a key component of regional readiness.
UK training
In a related development, officials of the Department of National Defense (DND) and AFP recently took part in a United Kingdom-supported training course aimed at strengthening cybersecurity in the maritime domain.
The two-day Maritime Cybersecurity Training Course was held from Wednesday to Friday in Taguig City, and brought together defense and maritime personnel, including representatives from the Philippine Navy, to examine vulnerabilities in ships, ports and other maritime systems increasingly reliant on digital networks and automation.
Officer in charge of the DND’s Office for Information Security Odessa Rossilyz Magisa said the training focused on emerging cyber threats and practical exercises designed to improve operational resilience.
“We have explored emerging threats, applied practical exercises and discussed strategies for resilience that will directly strengthen the AFP’s operational and cyberdefense posture,” Magisa said in a statement.
The training was part of the broader five-year defense cooperation agreement signed in January 2024.
This partnership includes joint military exercises and maritime training that stem from prior agreements, including the tabletop exercise in December 2024 that included the US Department of Homeland Security and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The exercise also involved partners like Australia and Japan.
