Latest news with #Dema-ala
GMA Network
6 days ago
- GMA Network
2 Army officers relieved from post after soldier's death in Maguindanao del Sur
Two officers have been relieved from their posts amid the investigation into the death of a soldier in Maguindanao del Sur on July 30, according to the Philippine Army on Monday. 'Ongoing investigation pa at hindi pa natin ma-rule out ang exact cause. Two officers were relieved and 21 enlisted personnel ang kasama sa iniimbestigahan,' Philippine Army spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said. (The investigation is still ongoing and we have not yet ruled out the exact cause. Two officers were relieved and 21 enlisted personnel are among those being investigated.) Dema-ala said Private Charlie G. Patigayon passed away while on duty at his unit in Maguindanao del Sur on July 30. He said that the Philippine Army, in strict adherence to the Anti-Hazing Act of 2018, upholds a zero-tolerance policy against any practices that endanger the safety and well-being of its personnel. 'The individuals involved in the incident have been immediately relieved of their duties and are currently under investigation,' Dema-ala said. 'We assure Pvt. Patigayon's family that the Philippine Army is committed to pursuing justice. Should the investigation confirm wrongdoing, those responsible will be held fully accountable under the military justice system and all applicable laws,' he added. The Philippine Army expressed condolences and vowed assistance to Patigayon's family. 'During this difficult time, the Army is providing all necessary assistance and support to the bereaved family. While no form of compensation can ever replace the life of a soldier, we are committed to honoring Pvt. Patigayon's service and to easing the burden on his loved ones,' Dema-ala said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Korean Army delegation honors Filipino Korean War veterans
A delegation from the Republic of Korea Army honored Filipino troops who fought in the Korean War and engaged in activities to strengthen military cooperation between the Philippines and South Korea. Philippine Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the ROKA delegation held a wreath-laying ceremony on Monday at the Korean War Memorial Pylon inside the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. The Philippines deployed the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea on June 25, 1950, to help defend South Korea against communist forces during the Korean War. The three-day visit also aims to further build the Army-to-Army partnership and reinforce bilateral cooperation between the two countries, Dema-ala added. He said the long-standing partnership between the Philippines and South Korea has fostered ties across defense, education, labor, trade, culture, and tourism. The Philippines and South Korea have maintained diplomatic relations since March 3, 1949.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Philippines, Australia end six-week cyber warfare drills
MANILA: The Philippine Army (PA) said on Tuesday (July 1) it has conducted six weeks of cyber warfare exercises with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to strengthen their cyber defence and resilience through collaborative cyber operations. The Philippine News Agency reported that the exercises, dubbed "Joint Defence Forward Training Activity," were held at the Army headquarters in Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City from mid-May to June 26, PA spokesperson Col Louie Dema-ala (pic) said in a statement. "This activity aimed to strengthen cyber defence and resilience by conducting collaborative cyber operations focused on detecting, analysing, and mitigating sophisticated digital threats," Dema-ala said. Among the key activities in the exercises were joint malware forensics, advanced threat intelligence exchange, and reverse engineering of malicious software. Dema-ala said these activities enabled both forces to gain critical insights into current and emerging cyber threats. "The joint undertaking significantly enhanced the PA's cyber posture by tapping into ADF's advanced technological expertise and operational best practices," he said. Dema-ala added that the drills "also reinforced the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Australia in addressing the dynamic challenges of cyberspace and hybrid warfare." - Bernama-PNA
Khaleej Times
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
Philippines to train with US Typhon missile system next month
A Philippine platoon will be trained on using a US mid-range missile system next month, ahead of joint drills, Manila's military said on Tuesday, in a move that will likely further fuel tensions with China. The US military deployed the Typhon missile system in the northern Philippines last year as part of an annual joint exercise, but it was not removed after the war games ended. The system's presence on Philippine soil has angered Beijing, whose forces have engaged in several confrontations with Philippine vessels in recent months over disputed reefs and waters in the South China Sea. Last month, the Philippine Army said it was planning to acquire the Typhon system as part of a push to secure its maritime interests, sparking warnings from China of a regional "arms race". A new platoon from the Philippines' Army Artillery Regiment will receive "orientation and familiarisation" training on the system, starting in the second or third week of February, army spokesman Colonel Louie Dema-ala said in a press conference. The week-long training will involve troops from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force of the US Army Pacific, Dema-ala added. "This is a continuation of what we've learned in the first (training) iteration. New units will be involved in the training and a continuation of the previous platoon that was trained last year," Dema-ala said. "As long as MRC (mid-range missile capability) is here, we maximise its utilisation to train our personnel in new technology," he added. Dema-ala said the training is in preparation for this year's Salaknib, an annual joint exercise between the Philippines and US armies. The training location cannot be disclosed, he told reporters, noting that there will be no firing of the Typhon system. Philippine military spokeswoman Colonel Francel Padilla said moving the launcher from its initial location to a different part of the country is a test "to see how these logistical trains can be transported to certain locations, to certain salient points." Philippine military officials have said the Typhon system would be able to protect vessels up to 370 kilometres off the coast, the limit of its maritime entitlement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Last week, China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning renewed calls for the Philippines to "stop going further down the wrong path". "Let me stress again that by bringing this strategic offensive weapon into this part of the world, the Philippines is essentially creating tensions and antagonism in the region and inciting geopolitical confrontation and an arms race," she said.
South China Morning Post
28-01-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Philippine soldiers to train on US Typhon missile system
Published: 5:07pm, 28 Jan 2025 Philippine soldiers will train on the US military's intermediate range missile system during unilateral army drills next month as part of preparations for bigger exercises with US counterparts, a military official said on Tuesday. The Typhon missile system was deployed by US forces to the Philippines in April last year as part of their Balikatan or 'shoulder to shoulder' military exercises, and has since stayed in the country, angering China which has repeatedly called for its withdrawal. Reuters reported last week the launchers were redeployed to a new location in the Philippines, which officials decline to disclose. Tomahawk cruise missiles used in the launchers are capable of hitting targets in both China and Russia from the Philippines. The SM-6 missiles it also carries can strike air or sea targets more than 200km (165 miles) away. A platoon of about 20 soldiers from the army artillery regiment will train with the US Army Pacific's First Multi-Domain Task Force in mid-February, Philippine army spokesperson Louie Dema-ala said. US and Philippine troops during their joint military exercise Balikatan, on May 6, 2024. Photo: AP The exercise will focus on the 'payload delivery system' and will highlight the system's capabilities, Dema-ala said, adding it would not include live-fire exercises.
