General Brawner, U.S. General Caine Reaffirm Strong PH-U.S. Defense Partnership

MANILA — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. met with General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Department of War, during a courtesy call on November 5 in Manila.

The meeting underscored the longstanding defense alliance between the Philippines and the United States, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to regional security, disaster preparedness, and humanitarian cooperation.

General Brawner conveyed the Philippines’ gratitude for the United States’ continued support in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations, citing the crucial role of U.S. assistance in past missions. Both sides also discussed ways to enhance coordination, readiness, and interoperability in future joint HADR efforts.

The discussions further emphasized shared strategic defense objectives, particularly in strengthening regional resilience and disaster response capabilities. The courtesy call served as a reaffirmation of the enduring PH-U.S. partnership, anchored on mutual support, trust, and a shared vision for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.