PH, US, Japan, Australia militaries discuss enhancing defense ties — Army

Military officials from the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Australia met in Taguig City over the weekend to strengthen their regional defense cooperation, according to the Philippine Army.

In a statement issued Monday, the Philippine Army said it hosted the CORE 4 Technical Working Group (TWG) Two-Star Level Meeting with senior military leaders at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

“The meeting focused on enhancing interoperability and aligning military exercises among regional partners and allies, reinforcing collective defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific Region,” the Philippine Army said.

“Discussions emphasized the importance of information sharing and mutual trust, recognizing these as key pillars for effective multilateral cooperation,” it added.

Among the attendees were the following:

• Brigadier General Dean Thompson (G3, Australian Army)
• Major General Scott Winter (G5, USARPAC)
• Colonel Christopher Winn (G5, MARFORPAC)
• Major General Norimichi Shirakawa (G5, JGSDF)
• Brigadier General Vicente MAP Blanco III (deputy commandant, Philippine Marine Corps)
• Major General Leodevic B Guinid (vice commander, Philippine Army)

According to the Philippine Army, the four countries of CORE 4 reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional security and advancing operational synergy across their land forces.

The next CORE 4 engagement will be held in May 2025 in Hawaii during Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC),  where participating nations are expected to advance strategic initiatives and further strengthen military partnerships in the Indo-Pacific Region. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News