PH honors Indonesian military chief

MANILA, Philippines – It’s an arrangement that “highlights the good relationship” between the Philippine and Indonesian militaries, said Armed Forces chief General Gregorio Catapang Jr.

When Indonesian military chief General Moeldoko was told he was going to be awarded the Philippine Legion of Honor with the Degree of Commander, he made a special arrangement with his Philippine counterpart. “He told me: “If you allow me to be awarded today, you can join me, you can join me in my plane,”” Catapang told reporters.

General Moeldoko received the award on Monday morning, November 3, during the flag ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo. He met with high-ranking defense officials and military officers and then left with Catapang for Brunei Monday afternoon aboard the Indonesian military’s aircraft. They’re both attending the annual Chief of Defense Conference 2014.

“This hightlights our good relationship with them. We are very close,” said Catapang before their departure. He was originally scheduled to leave for Brunei last Sunday. 

In May 2014, the Philippines and Indonesia sealed a historic maritime deal drawing a boundary between the overlapping Exclusive Economic Zone in the Mindanao Sea and Celebes Sea. (READ: Philippines, Indonesia seal historic maritime deal)

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, General Moeldoko joined calls for China to avoid destablizing Asia. “China is a great economic superpower, however we don’t want this great force to create instability in the region,” Moeldoko was quoted in the article.

Indonesia’s new president Joko Widodo earlier said he was ready to act as “intermediary” to calm rising tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. (READ: Indonesia ready to mediate in South China Sea, says Jokowi – report)

Highest award

The Philippine Legion of Honor is awarded to Filipino and foreign citizens for their meritorious service in the military and defense affairs or for exceptional performance of their duties. It is also the highest award the President can bestow without the need for approval of Congress.

Moeldoko was cited for the following contributions:

• for strengthening bilateral defense and military cooperation between the Indonesian armed forces and the AFP through the agreement on military cooperation in the field of defense and security activities;
• for actively supporting the International Monitoring Team task force contingent on the consequent signing of the Comprehensive Agreement of the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in March 2014;
• for promptly directing 3 Indonesian Hercules C-130 aircraft to transport essential relief items from the Indonesian government to the typhoon-stricken areas at the height of supertyphoon Yolanda in November 2013

“The visit of General Moeldoko and his party today reaffirms that shared commitment of mutual thrust and growing partnership not only between our governments but our armed forces as well,” Catapang said. 

General Moeldoko responded: “I express my sincere gratitude and high appreciation to General Catapang for this most gracious award. Let us hope that the relationship and cooperation between TNI (Tentara Nasional Indoensia) and AFP will last for a long time.” – Rappler.com