The two sides agreed to step up high-level visits and meetings, effectively maintain defence policy dialogue and military consultations, strengthen cooperation among military services and arms, promote exchanges between young officers, expand professional training and experience sharing, and enhance coordination in handling maritime issues.
One suspect in a fatal bombing in Mindanao state, the Philippines, which killed four people and injured at least 50 others, was arrested and is now under the custody of authorities, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on December 8.
Philippine security forces on June 26 killed four suspected militants with links to the Abu Sayyaf during a pre-dawn raid in Parañaque city of Metro Manila.
The Philippines on March 27 announced the US military has cancelled the large-scale joint exercise dubbed as "Balikatan" between the two countries this year due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Young officers of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the Philippine armed forces gathered at an activity in Hanoi on November 18 to share experience and enhance exchange.
Three Indonesian fishermen abducted by members of an Islamist group have been freed 18 months after they were abducted in waters off the southern Philippines, the Philippine military said on September 16.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the plan of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to buy more aircraft and submarine, Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on June 11.
Philippine authorities said on February 26 they are aware of terror threats in the country’s southern region and have kept the situation under control.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) support the extension of martial law in the southern region of Mindanao to address security threats, said AFP spokesman Major General Restituto Padilla.
The Maute terrorist group remains a threat to the region although Marawi city of Mindanao has been liberated, warned Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) on December 8.
The Philippines and the US have agreed to conduct 261 joint military activities next year, as the Philippines is pursuing warmer relations with its ally, a high-ranking Philippine officer announced on October 5.
Japan and the Philippines on February 29 signed an agreement on defence equipment and technology transfer, announced the Philippine Department of National Defence.
A ceremony to mark the 80th founding anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was held at Clark Air Base in Pampanga province, the Philippines, on December 21.
