PRESS RELEASE – 51 - 2019

Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona presents a token coin from Consul General Joselito A. Jimeno to Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr.

(17 July 2019, Honolulu, Hawaii) - Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr., AFP Chief of Staff, made a courtesy visit to the Philippine Consulate General on 16 July 2019.

Gen. Madrigal was in Honolulu for talks with Admiral Philip S. Davidson, Commander, U.S. Indo- Pacific Command (Indo- PACOM). Gen. Madrigal’s brief visit from 15-18 July 2019 is in preparation for the annual Mutual Defense Board – Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) Meeting which will be held in Manila in September 2019.

The MDB-SEB ensures continued robust relations between Philippine and U.S. militaries, focusing on common national security interests such as Counter-terrorism, Maritime Security, Cyber Security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response, and other topics.

The MDB was established in 1958, and the SEB in 2006. Together, the MDB-SEB coordinates a framework for defense and security cooperation between the Philippines and the United States. Gen. Madrigal describes the military-to-military relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. as “mature” due to the long history of defense and security cooperation between the two countries. He said that both he and Admiral Davidson look forward to increased activities between the Philippine and U.S. militaries next year.

Accompanying Gen. Madrigal were Maj. Gen. Cornelio Valencia, Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5, Brig. Gen. Marlo Guloy, Defense and Armed Forces Attache to the USA, and Capt. Robin Charles R. Romare, Aide-de-Camp. The AFP group was accompanied by AFP Liaison Officer to Indo- PACOM Col. Joseph P. Archog.

Welcoming Gen. Madrigal’s group were Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona and Minister/ Consul Roberto T. Bernardo. END

Gen. Madrigal presents to DCG Angelica C. Escalona a token from the AFP

L-R: Col. Joseph P. Archog, AFPLO, Consul Roberto T. Bernardo, BGen. Marlo Guloy, DAFA to Washington, DC, Deputy Consul General Angelica C. Escalona, Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., Chief of Staff AFP, MGen. Cornelio Valencia, Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, J5, and Capt. Robin Charles Romare, Aide-de-Camp