29 May 2015 – Military ties between the Philippines and Timor-Leste was given a boost with the recent high-level visit of a senior-ranking Philippine military official to Timor-Leste.
Upon the invitation of the Falintil-Forças de Defesa de Timor-Leste (F-FDTL or the Defense Forces of Timor-Leste), Lieutenant General (LTGEN) Aurelio B. Baladad, Eastern Mindanao Commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), graced the commemoration of the 13th Anniversary of the Restoration of Timor-Leste’s Independence on May 20. AFP Chief of Staff General Pio P. Catapang, Jr. designated LTGEN Baladad to be his representative to the commemorative event.
LTGEN Baladad also held a bilateral meeting with F-FDTL Chief Major General Lere Anan Timur to discuss and exchange views on how to further strengthen the two countries’ military cooperation. The F-FDTL is enlisting the help of the AFP in building its institutional and human resource capacities.
LTGEN Baladad was accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Rhodora Baladad, and Captain Joselito Dalida.
Officials of the Philippine Embassy in Dili and the Office of the Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché (ODAFA) also provided logistical support to the AFP delegation.
The visit received considerable media coverage in Timor-Leste. END