03 October 2016 — Timor-Leste Chief of Defense Forces, Major General Lere Anan Timur, participated in the 2016 Annual Chiefs of Defense Conference (CHOD) which was held in Manila on 5-7 September 2016. The conference brought military leaders together to discuss regional challenges and promote cooperation in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

This was Major General Lere’s second visit to the Philippines. He previously undertook an official visit to the Philippines in July 2012 upon the invitation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In accordance with the one-country team approach, Philippine Ambassador to Timor-Leste Evelyn D. Austria-Garcia and Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Emilio T. Hulipas were there to welcome Major General Lere and his spouse, as well as provide appropriate assistance to the Timorese delegation.

At the sidelines of the conference, Major General Lere conveyed his country’s interest to send enlisted personnel to undergo training as pilots at the Philippine Air Force.

“The visit of Major General Lere comes at an opportune time when the Philippines and Timor-Leste are trying to forge a robust military partnership anchored on capacity-building and training,” Ambassador Austria-Garcia said.

The Philippines and Timor-Leste signed a joint declaration on 7 November 2012 which provided the framework for the two countries to establish formal military ties through the exchange of high level visits, intelligence and information sharing, and promotion of training and education exchanges. Both sides are exploring the possibility of elevating such partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Military Cooperation. END