Senior military planners from the Philippine Army and the Indonesian Army met at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on November 10, 2026 for the 32nd Indonesia–Philippines Army Working Group (INDOPHIL AWG), where both sides explored ways to deepen bilateral cooperation in defense, security, and humanitarian operations.
Key Topics on the Working Group Agenda
According to the Philippine Army Public Affairs Office, discussions during the annual working group covered defense and security coordination, the sharing of information on transnational threats, leadership and training exchanges, and combined humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) efforts. Both delegations also reaffirmed their shared commitment to ASEAN principles, dialogue, and respect for international law, the Public Affairs Office statement said.
Indonesian Delegation Head Meets Philippine Army Leadership
Before the working group session commenced, Indonesian Army Head of Delegation Col. Deki Rayusyah Putra paid a courtesy call on Philippine Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Christopher C. Tampus, who represented Army Chief Lt. Gen. Donald M. Gumiran at the engagement.
Rooted in a 2022 Bilateral Defense Agreement
The 32nd INDOPHIL AWG is grounded in the Agreement on Cooperative Activities in the Field of Defense and Security, signed by the Philippines and Indonesia on September 5, 2022. That agreement established the formal framework under which both armies hold their annual planning and coordination meetings.
In a press release issued on November 11, 2026, the Philippine Army Public Affairs Office described the Indonesian Army as one of its key partners in the Southeast Asian region, citing the mutual trust and professional exchanges built through the annual working group.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of PAO, Philippine Army / Ms Roda Dizon
Source: Philippine Army Public Affairs Office