Following his visit to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) headquarters in Hawaii in November 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. cordially received its new commander, Admiral Samuel Paparo, at Malacañang Palace on Tuesday.

Paparo assumed command of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command from Adm. John C. Aquilino during a change of command ceremony on May 3, 2024.

The two officials met for a dialogue on issues that would ensure the continuity of the crucial defense and security partnership between the U.S. and the Philippines.

In his opening remarks, President Marcos thanked Paparo for taking the time to visit Malacañang as part of his tour in the Philippines.

Paparo is in the country to attend the Annual Meeting of the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) and to participate in planning activities for the year 2025.

“Welcome to Manila. Welcome to the Philippines. Well since your new appointment I’m sure I’ll be seeing more of you. I’m going to see you and you’re coming to see us. We have a great deal of, there are great many subjects that will be discussed, many decisions that we have to make for the United States and for the Philippines.” the President said.

President Marcos mentioned that Paparo’s planned visits to several Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites would expose the U.S. delegation to the real situation.

The U.S. INDOPACOM was established as a unified command on Jan. 1, 1947. It is one of six geographic Unified Combatant Commands of the U.S. Armed Forces and the oldest and largest of the American unified commands.

During his visit, Admiral Paparo will address the Military Law and Operations Conference (MILOPS) on Aug. 27, visit an EDCA location on Aug. 28, and attend the 2024 Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) Meeting on Aug. 29 in Baguio City. PND