Philippine Army (PA) chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido has emphasized the need for stronger regional security collaboration in the Indo-Pacific Region, highlighting its “crucial role” in enhancing defense cooperation.
“These collaborative efforts will play a crucial role in strengthening defense relations and improving cooperation among allied and partner land forces in the broader Indo-Pacific Region,” Galido stated in a press release on Monday.
Galido made this call while representing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. during the Exercise Talisman Sabre in Sydney, Australia, over the weekend. He underscored the PA’s commitment to enhancing interoperability among land forces through increased participation in multilateral and bilateral exercises.
During his visit to Australia, Galido attended a meeting of Army leaders from the CORE-FOUR nations—Philippines, Australia, Japan, and the US. He also engaged in bilateral discussions with his counterparts, including Australia’s Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart and Germany’s Lt. Gen. Alfons Mais.
In a separate meeting at the Intercontinental Sydney, Galido was awarded the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Defense (JGSDF) Cooperation Medal by JGSDF chief of staff Gen. Morishita Yasunori. The award recognized Galido’s significant contributions to advancing defense cooperation between the PA and the JGSDF, reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations.
The citation highlighted Galido’s proactive participation in high-level multilateral defense dialogues, including the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference, Land Forces Summit, and Land Forces Pacific Symposium. It also noted his leadership in key bilateral and multilateral military exercises such as “Balikatan,” “Salaknib,” and “Yamasakura.”
“This achievement is of particular importance in the context of implementing the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement. Your exemplary service and unwavering dedication have greatly enhanced Japan’s security posture and deterrence architecture within the Indo-Pacific theater,” the citation stated.
Galido remarked that the award symbolizes “not only a symbol of friendship between the Philippines and Japan but also a reflection of the strong partnership and camaraderie built through mutual respect, cooperation, and shared purpose.”