Philippine army chief visits Thailand April 28-30

BANGKOK, April 30 (TNA) - Philippine Army Commander Lieutenant General Hernando Iriberri is paying an official visit to Thailand from April 28 to 30 as the guest of the Royal Thai Army, aimed to enhance military ties and cooperation between the two member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The visiting Philippine army commander and his entourage were officially received by his Thai counterpart General Udomdet Sitabutr in Bangkok on Wednesday. Both sides then discussed cooperation between their forces and the drafting of a framework for cooperation and signed an agreement for the cooperation. Both sides also agreed to form a joint working group to carry out activities of the Thai and Philippine armies and to exchange intelligence reports. On the occasion, the Thai army chief expressed gratitude towards the Philippine Ministry of National Defense for admitting cadets of ASEAN member countries, including Thailand, to study at the Philippine Military Academy. Previously, the Philippine army chief assumed important positions in the Philippine army, including the director for the army’s civil affairs and the spokesman of the army, as well as the commander of the Erbil Sector in the United Nations Guards Contingent In Iraq (UNGCI). (TNA)