VISITING Malaysian Navy chief Adm. Datuk Zulhelmy Bin Ithnain has discussed security challenges in Southeast Asia with top Philippine military officials.
Zulhelmy visited the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila on Wednesday and paid a courtesy call on his Filipino counterpart, Adm. Jose Maria Ambrosio Ezpeleta.
Navy spokesman Capt. John Percie Alcos said Ezpeleta and Zulhelmy exchanged views on “shared challenges and opportunities in naval modernization, training and capability development.”
“The visit served to reaffirm the strong and enduring ties between the Philippine and Malaysian navies,” Alcos said in a statement in a statement.
“Both Navy chiefs discussed ways to enhance maritime cooperation, regional security, and future engagements between their respective naval forces,” he added.
Alcos said the engagement underscores the Philippine Navy’s continuing commitment to “building strong defense partnerships, advancing regional cooperation, and promoting maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Zulhelmy likewise paid a courtesy call on Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr at the AFP general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City, also on Wednesday.
AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said Brawner and Zulhelmy “engaged in a constructive discussion on regional security, interoperability, and mutual interests in maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia.”
Trinidad said Brawner expressed his appreciation for the continued collaboration between the naval forces of the two nations.
“The courtesy call reflects the shared commitment of the Philippines and Malaysia to uphold strong defense relations and promote cooperation in addressing common maritime challenges,” said Trinidad.
“The meeting concluded with an exchange of mementos and renewed pledges of mutual support and camaraderie,” he added.
The Philippines and Malaysia are among the claimants to the contested West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea. The others are China, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan.
