THE Philippine Army (PA) and the Royal Cambodian Army (RCA) heightened further their defense partnership with particular focus on regional security and humanitarian initiatives.
This developed as RCA commander Gen. Mao Sophan called on his Filipino counterpart, Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, last Friday, March 14, at the PA headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The two Army chiefs tackled bilateral cooperation in addressing shared challenges such as disaster response, counter-terrorism, and peace-keeping.
The visit followed the inaugural PA-RCA Army Working Group held last year, which laid the groundwork for future collaborations, including joint exercises and personnel exchanges aimed at enhancing interoperability and regional stability.
During Sophan’s visit, the PA’s premier Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) unit, the 525th Combat Engineer “Forerunner” Battalion, demonstrated its disaster response capabilities.
The battalion showcased its use of modern equipment for building assessments, victim communication, first aid, and medical evacuation, underscoring the command’s comprehensive approach to disaster management.
This renewed partnership underscored the commitment of the two armies to fostering regional security and cooperation while addressing pressing humanitarian and defense challenges