Philippine, Indonesian troops hold commando training

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino and Indonesian troops have engaged in cross-training to hone their information exchange techniques, counter-insurgency operation tactics, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response skills.

Twenty soldiers from the Special Forces (SF), an elite Philippine Army unit, were dispatched to an Indonesian Army training camp at Bandung late last month for a joint commando training with Indonesian soldiers as part of the yearly joint military engagements between the Philippines and Indonesia.

“This cross-training are part of our international agreement to develop and promote cooperative activities in the defense and security of our respective countries,” said Col. Jose Faustino Jr., Philippine Army assistant chief of staff for training and education.

The SF have been in the headquarters of Komando Pasukan Khusus (KOPASSUS), an elite Indonesian Army unit, since Aug. 24 and SF troops are now wrapping up their joint training that will end on Monday, Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said.

The SF are the most highly trained troops who usually operate behind enemy lines because of their skills and tactics in penetrating enemy positions.

After the cross-training with Indonesia, the Philippine Army will be hosting a joint training with its Malaysian counterpart at Camp O’Donnel in Capas, Tarlac.

“This joint training also aims to enhance the interoperability of the Philippine Army and the Malaysian Army through combined operation exercises,” Hao said.