PH Consulate General in Honolulu Received AFP Chief of Staff in Coutesy Call

Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona (left) presents a token coin from Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Benjamin Madrigal, Jr. (Honolulu PCG photo)

HONOLULU 23 July 2019 — Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr. made a courtesy visit on the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu on 16 July 2019.

General Madrigal was in Honolulu for talks with United States Indo- Pacific Command (Indo-PACOM) Commander Admiral Philip S. Davidson.  His brief visit from 15-18 July 2019 is in preparation for the annual Mutual Defense Board–Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) Meeting, which will be held in Manila in September 2019.

The MDB-SEB ensures continued robust relations between Philippine and U.S. militaries, focusing on common national security interests such as Counter-terrorism, Maritime Security, Cyber Security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response, and other topics.

The MDB was established in 1958, and the SEB in 2006. Together, the MDB-SEB coordinates a framework for defense and security cooperation between the two countries.  General Madrigal describes the military-to-military relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. as “mature” due to the long history of defense and security cooperation between the two countries. He said that both he and Admiral Davidson look forward to increased activities between the Philippine and U.S. militaries next year.

Accompanying General Madrigal were AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans Major General Cornelio Valencia Jr., Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to the U.S. Brigadier General Marlo Guloy, and Aide-de-Camp  Captain Robin Charles R. Romare. The AFP group was accompanied by AFP Liaison Officer to Indo-PACOM Colonel Joseph P. Archog.

Welcoming General Madrigal’s group were Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona and Consul Roberto T. Bernardo. END

General Madrigal (right) presents to Deputy Consul General Escalona a token from the AFP. (Honolulu PCG photo)

From left: AFP Liaison Officer Colonel Joseph P. Archog, Consul Roberto T. Bernardo, Defense and Armed Forces Attache to the United States Brigadier General Marlo Guloy, Deputy Consul General Escalona, AFP Chief of Staff General Madrigal, AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans Major General Cornelio Valencia Jr., and Aide-de-Camp Captain Robin Charles Romare. (Honolulu PCG photo)

For more information, visit  https://www.honolulupcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippineshonolulu.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinHonolulu/.