Maritime leaders from 32 countries convened in Taguig on Tuesday for the 11th Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS).
Co-hosted for the first time by the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the event will run until Thursday.
PALS aims to foster cooperation and interoperability among maritime nations in the Indo-Pacific. Representatives from countries including Japan, Australia, India, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are among those attending this year’s summit.
PMC Commandant Maj. Gen. Vicente Blanco III said the symposium offers a platform for exchanging best practices and exploring joint responses to maritime challenges. “This all boils down to building trust and confidence among nations,” he said.
Topics include the use of emerging technologies in littoral operations, improving disaster logistics, and information operations in modern maritime contexts. Panel discussions and senior briefings are also part of the agenda.
Delegates will present technology-based solutions to boost intelligence, surveillance, and maritime domain awareness. The role of amphibious forces in promoting regional stability remains a key focus of the event.
Lt. Gen. James Glynn of USMC Force Pacific said the Philippines’ geographic location makes it a strategic venue. “It’s quite timely we find ourselves here, discussing innovation, capability development, and disaster response,” he noted.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “32 maritime forces meet in Philippines to address challenges”
