Malaysia and Philippines Conduct Land MALPHI Exercise

13^th LAND MALPHI Exercise : A Philippine soldier, surrounded by his comrades, taking a closer look at a Belgium made Automatic Grenade Launcher on display during the launch of the exercise yesterday.

Malaysian, Philippine armies build better ties

KUCHING: The Malaysian and Philippine armies will further foster better relationship with each other through an exercise in supporting global peace.

Deputy Malaysian army chief Lieutenant General Datuk Seri Panglima Ahmad Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi said this could be achieved through the enhancement of the scope of the Land MLAPHI Exercise involving the forces of both nations.

As such, he said, the current 13th Land MALPHI Exercise that was taking place at Penrissen Camp near here was not only focusing on the planning and conduct of conventional warfare setting in the Malaysian environment, but also to cover planning strategy and preparation to face the present global security situation.

 “The main objective of this exercise is to foster a good relationship between the Philippine and Malaysian army who have a common mission in preserving and maintaining peace and security of this region.

“This exercise which started today (yesterday) till Oct 13 is also aimed at enabling both forces to operate together using Multination Forces Operating Procedure with common understanding,” he said.

He said this at the launch of the 13th Land MALPHI Exercise involving 150 soldiers from the Malaysian army under 1st Malaysian Infantry Division and 49 from the Philippines army yesterday.

The Philippines army vice-commander Brigadier General Essel Soriano said it was hoped that the two-week exercise will instil a cordial working relationship and mutual understanding between them and their counterparts here.

“It is also our hope that this exercise will give us all avenues to work and operate together whenever necessary,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hasbullah earlier explained that the exercise was introduced since 1999 following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two parties in 1994.

Since then, the exercise had been held once every two years with both countries taking turn to play host.

Among those present at the ceremony yesterday were 1st Infantry Division commander Major General Datuk Mohd Zaki Mokhtar and Third Brigade commander Brigadier General Datuk Rezuan Baharuddin.