PH to join armies’ symposium in Hawaii amid 'bullying' in Pacific

The Philippine Army on Wednesday said it is set to participate in the Land Forces Pacific Symposium (LANPAC) 2025 organized by the United States Army in Hawaii from May 13 to 15.

Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Roy Galido and Reserve Command head Major General Ramon Zagala will attend the meeting.

“[Galido] will offer a presentation with a topic: ‘Prevailing through Landpower.’ The panelists din siya sa theme: ‘Positional Advantage,’” Dema-ala said.

(Galido will offer a presentation with a topic: 'Prevailing through Landpower.' He is also a panelist on the theme: 'Positional Advantage.'")

In a virtual press briefing, US Army Pacific commanding general General Ronald Clark said 32 delegations and 16 chiefs of army from different countries will attend the symposium.

“This is all about our ability to prevent war by building necessary capacity and interoperability with our partners and allies in the region... We campaign forward throughout the region for the purpose of preventing war," said Clark.

“What we've been seeing across the region is actions by countries that are bullying their neighbors that continue to engage in territorial disputes that are illegal, that continue to coerce their neighbors in ways that are unhelpful,” added Clark.

Asked about the reported seizure of Sandy Cay by China, which was dismissed by the Philippines, Clark reiterated the US’ commitment to support Manila’s sovereignty.

“We are a treaty ally with the Philippines as well. And we are committed as an ally to continue to work with them to ensure the sovereignty of the Philippines,” said Clark.

“We have worked very closely with them, really, day to day to work through allowing for the dialogue and coordination necessary, the interoperability between the Philippine armed forces and our own to work through some of the challenges associated with some of the claims being made to their sovereign territory,” he added. —with reports from JP Soriano/ VAL, GMA Integrated News