CORE 4 seeks unified Indo-Pacific defense

Military officials from the so-called CORE 4, consisting of the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia, sought to strengthen their collective defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific Region during a high-level discussion in the country.

The Philippine Army hosted the CORE 4 Technical Working Group (TWG) Two-Star Level Meeting on 1-2 March at Headquarters Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said the military engagement focused on enhancing interoperability and aligning military exercises among the country’s regional partners and like-minded allies.

“Discussions emphasized the importance of information sharing and mutual trust, recognizing these as key pillars for effective multilateral cooperation,” Dema-ala told reporters on Monday.

He said the CORE 4 member nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional security and advancing operational synergy across their land forces.

The Philippines’ Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the United States, signed in 1951, serves as the cornerstone of its defense strategy, amid China’s increasing territorial aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

The MDT obligates both nations to support each other in the event of an armed attack, a provision that has gained renewed significance amid China’s assertive actions.

In recent years, the Philippines has also deepened defense ties with Japan and Australia, signing agreements that facilitate joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and capacity-building.

These partnerships aim to bolster the Philippines’ ability to defend its maritime territory and uphold the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.

The next CORE 4 engagement will take place in May 2025 in Hawaii during the Land Forces Pacific — a military symposium and forum focused on land-based forces operating in the Pacific theater, primarily hosted by the US Army Pacific.

It will serve as a platform for addressing strategic issues, exchanging best practices, and coordinating cooperation among the land forces of various nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

“This forum will provide another opportunity for participating nations to advance strategic initiatives and further strengthen military partnerships in the region,” Dema-ala said.