By Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — With terrorism now being a global concern, delegates from the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday paid a courtesy call at the Philippine Army (PA) headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig in line the upcoming Counter-Terrorism Trainer’s Training (CTTT).
The CTTT is the first training collaboration between the PA and the IDF to be held in the Philippines.
Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, PA spokesperson, said the IDF delegation was headed by Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus.
The Israeli official met with Army commander, Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, and exchanged views on terrorism, expressing their interest to learn from each other’s experiences in fighting terror threats through the CTTT.
The training aims to enhance the counter-terrorism capabilities of PA personnel.
It also aims to improve the operational and instructional skills of the PA training schools in anti-terrorism and combat techniques.
Goldfus acknowledged that there are many lessons their soldiers could also learn from the PA based on what happened in Marawi City as well as its other combat experiences.
On the other hand, Alberto said that the exchange will be fruitful since the two sides share similar views on terrorism and ways to counter it.
The IDF general added that the main challenge in addressing terrorism is to predict what the enemy will do next, thus there is a need for constant training and threat monitoring.
“The Philippine Army sees the collaboration with other armies in addressing terrorism as necessary after its experience during the Marawi Siege in 2017. Terrorism is a complex threat that requires international cooperation and the continuous exchange of knowledge and information,” Alberto said.
For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website
