Camp Siongco, Awang, Maguindanao del Norte – The much-anticipated PHILINDO STRIKE IV-2024, a bilateral military exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Indonesia, officially commenced today at the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division Headquarters, with the 6ID serving as the host of the event.
The opening ceremony was held at the Officer’s Club House in Camp Siongco, where Col. Edgar L. Catu, Chief of Staff of the 6ID, welcomed the participating forces.
In his message, Col. Catu expressed the division’s honor in hosting the joint exercises, highlighting the enduring bond between the two nations.
“This bilateral exercise is a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia,” said Col. Catu. “I am confident that this exercise will be a valuable platform for learning, collaboration and mutual benefit.”
Col. Jose Ambrosio F. Rustia, Assistant Division Commander for Reservist and Retirees Affairs, graced the event as the keynote speaker. In his address, Col. Rustia emphasized the significance of PHILINDO STRIKE IV-2024 in enhancing military cooperation between the two countries.
“This exercise represents a significant step forward in strengthening the military cooperation between our two nations,” Col. Rustia remarked. “It is designed to enhance our joint operational readiness, improve strategic communication and build mutual trust.”
Leading the Indonesian contingent was Col. Inf Yoki Malinton Kurniafari, Commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade Badik Sakti, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD).
In his remarks, he said “Indonesia is committed to strengthen our military ties and building stronger security frameworks with the Philippine counterpart. By fostering collaboration and exchanging strategies and experiences, we seek to enhance our strategic planning and joint capabilities.”
The PHILINDO STRIKE IV-2024 exercises will continue in the coming days, featuring various training activities aimed at further enhancing the collaboration and operational efficiency of the two nations’ armed forces.
The joint exercises aim to improve the operational readiness of both military forces, with a focus on addressing threats to international security and stability, particularly in Southeast Asia, where ongoing challenges demand heightened preparedness.
More so, the 6th Infantry Division actively participates in bilateral and multilateral exercises with our foreign military counterparts, recognizing the critical importance of these engagements.
These exercises are instrumental in enhancing the operational capacities of 6ID, enabling us to respond to contingencies effectively, address emerging security threats, and improve our readiness for humanitarian and disaster response scenarios.