AFP eyes defense pact with Saudi Arabia

AFP chief Gen. Andres Centino (FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines is looking at creating a defense cooperation agreement with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Gen. Andres Centino, the AFP chief of staff, met on Monday with Philippine ambassador to Saudi Arabia Adnan Alonto who paid a courtesy call in Camp Aguinaldo to explore the possibility of a defense cooperation agreement with the KSA.

“It’s just exploratory talks if it is possible to have such an agreement,” said Col. Jorry Baclor, AFP public affairs office chief.

“The focus of the discussion was the possibility of opening up a defense and armed forces attaché post [in Saudi Arabia],” he pointed out.

Alonto was recalled early this month by the Department of Foreign Affairs for “home consultations” after his wife was caught on video apparently campaigning for presidential and vice presidential candidates, addressing overseas workers in KSA.