Embassy of the United States in Manila

PACOM Commander Admiral Fallon, Philippine Armed Forces Chief Gen. Abu conclude 2005 U.S.-RP Mutual Defense Board meeting in Manila

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Efren L. Abu (above, left) and U.S. Pacific Command Commander Admiral William J. Fallon (right) proceed to meet the press after the two-day meeting of the U.S.-RP Mutual Defense Board (MDB), which the two official co-chaired in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on June 7. During the meeting, the Board decided to begin incorporation of “strategic dialogues” on regional security challenges, and approved an updated MDB Five-year Plan as well as a calendar for joint activities in 2006.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Efren L. Abu (above, left) and U.S. Pacific Command Commander Admiral William J. Fallon (right) proceed to meet the press after the two-day meeting of the U.S.-RP Mutual Defense Board (MDB), which the two official co-chaired in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on June 7. During the meeting, the Board decided to begin incorporation of “strategic dialogues” on regional security challenges, and approved an updated MDB Five-year Plan as well as a calendar for joint activities in 2006.

The threat of nuclear weapons in the Korean Peninsula and the stability of the Malacca Strait “were items that we put out as things that were of concern, of interest to us, that we thought we ought to consider as we go forward,” Admiral Fallon said at the press conference at the conclusion of the MDB meeting. On the threat of the Jemaah Islamiya in the region, the Admiral said, “The JI thrive in conditions of instability and the degree to which we can assist in enhancing security will, I think, go a long way to lessening any potential impact of the JI and their activities.”

The threat of nuclear weapons in the Korean Peninsula and the stability of the Malacca Strait “were items that we put out as things that were of concern, of interest to us, that we thought we ought to consider as we go forward,” Admiral Fallon said at the press conference at the conclusion of the MDB meeting. On the threat of the Jemaah Islamiya in the region, the Admiral said, “The JI thrive in conditions of instability and the degree to which we can assist in enhancing security will, I think, go a long way to lessening any potential impact of the JI and their activities.”

“The threats of the JI in the Philippines and Asia Pacific,” said Gen. Abu, “is an emerging one, I would say especially here in the Philippines…. This is a problem that we really have to address squarely because the JI, on a regional scale, has a long-term plan to expand.” The just concluded MDB meeting, the General said, “provided an opportunity for the Philippines and the United States to further our mutual security interests. I join Admiral Fallon in expressing confidence in another successful year for our mutual defense partnership and its enduring relevance for both the United States and the Philippines.”

“The threats of the JI in the Philippines and Asia Pacific,” said Gen. Abu, “is an emerging one, I would say especially here in the Philippines…. This is a problem that we really have to address squarely because the JI, on a regional scale, has a long-term plan to expand.” The just concluded MDB meeting, the General said, “provided an opportunity for the Philippines and the United States to further our mutual security interests. I join Admiral Fallon in expressing confidence in another successful year for our mutual defense partnership and its enduring relevance for both the United States and the Philippines.”

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