Maj. Gen. Norimichi Shirakawa (G5, JGSDF), Maj. Gen. Scott Winter (G5, USARPAC), Maj. Gen. Leodevic B Guinid (Vice Commander, Philippine Army), Brig. Gen. Dean Thompson (G3, Australian Army), Col. Christopher Winn (G5, MARFORPAC), and Brig. Gen. Vicente MAP Blanco III (Deputy Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps) gather for a group photo during the CORE 4 Technical Working Group (TWG) Two-Star Level Meeting at the Philippine Army headquarters, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City from March 1 to March 2, 2025. Photo from US Army Pacific

Philippine Army (PA) hosted the regional defense cooperation meeting attended by military officials from the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Australia over the weekend in Taguig City.

The Philippine Army (PA), in a statement said it hosted the CORE 4 Technical Working Group (TWG) Two-Star Level Meeting with senior military leaders at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

“The meeting focused on enhancing interoperability and aligning military exercises among regional partners and allies, reinforcing collective defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific Region,” the PA said.

“Discussions emphasized the importance of information sharing and mutual trust, recognizing these as key pillars for effective multilateral cooperation,” it added.

Among the attendees were the following:

Brigadier General Dean Thompson (G3, Australian Army)

Major General Scott Winter (G5, USARPAC)

Colonel Christopher Winn (G5, MARFORPAC)

Major General Norimichi Shirakawa (G5, JGSDF)

Brigadier General Vicente MAP Blanco III (deputy commandant, Philippine Marine Corps)

Major General Leodevic B Guinid (vice commander, Philippine Army)

According to the Philippine Army, the four countries of CORE 4 reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional security and advancing operational synergy across their land forces.

The next CORE 4 engagement will be held in May 2025 in Hawaii during Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC), where participating nations are expected to advance strategic initiatives and further strengthen military partnerships in the Indo-Pacific Region.