The United States Army
12/17/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/18/2025 09:01
Guam and Hawaii Guards strengthen ties at Philippine convention
[Link] 1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Leaders from the Guam and Hawaii National Guards stand alongside Reserve Commanders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the 2nd ARRAPI National Convention in Makati City, Dec. 8, 2025. The gathering provided a key opportunity to strengthen the 25-year State Partnership Program and share best practices on enhancing reserve force capabilities. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Josen Christian Munoz Pascual) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Senior leaders from the Guam amd Hawaii National Guards stand alongside Reserve Commanders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the 2nd ARRAPI National Convention in Makati City, Dec. 8, 2025. The gathering provided a key opportunity to strengthen the 25-year State Partnership Program and share best practices on enhancing reserve force capabilities. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Josen Christian Munoz Pascual) VIEW ORIGINAL [Link] 3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption - Col. Karin Watson, acting Adjutant General of the Guam National Guard, gives her insight about integrating our deterrence from adversaries, or sharing best practices for mobilization and disaster response. The gathering provided a key opportunity to strengthen the 25-year State Partnership Program and share best practices on enhancing reserve force capabilities. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Josen Christian Munoz Pascual) VIEW ORIGINAL
MAKATI CITY, Philippines - Senior leaders from the Guam and Hawaii National Guards joined more than 4,500 Filipino reservists and administrators for the 2nd National Convention of the Association of Reservists and Reservist Administrators of the Philippines, or ARRAPI, on Dec. 8, reaffirming a 25-year commitment to building partner capacity and enhancing interoperability in the Indo-Pacific.
The convention brought together reserve commanders from the Philippine Army, Navy and Air Force, along with key defense officials, to discuss the modernization and strategic use of the reserve force. The event served as a platform to identify legislative priorities supporting reservist manning, equipment and training.
The convention also highlighted the growing role of reserve forces in national defense and disaster response. For the Guam National Guard, the event provided an opportunity to deepen its State Partnership Program, or SPP, relationship with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, or AFP, a partnership that has spanned a quarter-century.
"Strengthening relations with our allies and partners in the region is more important than ever," said U.S. Army Capt. Duane Sablan, a State Partnership Program officer. "Together as state partners, we share ideas and learn from each other's best practices."
ARRAPI is modeled after the National Guard Association of the United States, or NGAUS. Its mission is to elevate reserve issues to legislative bodies, mirroring the advocacy role NGAUS plays for Guardsmen in the United States.
The gathering was described as historic, with thousands attending in person and virtually, marking significant growth in the association's influence since its founding. The presence of U.S. National Guard leaders, including representatives from Guam, underscored the strategic value of the SPP in fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific.
"Out here in the Pacific, where we are geographically isolated from immediate assistance, our partnerships are most important," said Col. Karin Watson, acting adjutant general of the Guam National Guard. "Whether integrating deterrence against adversaries or sharing best practices for mobilization and disaster response, having allies and partners like our AFP reservists is one of the best ways to help set conditions for a proactive response and preserve our free way of life."
Through the SPP, the Guam National Guard and the AFP continue to conduct subject matter expert exchanges and joint training exercises. As the AFP modernizes its reserve components, the Guam National Guard remains a steadfast partner, providing insights from its dual mission to support both the community and the country.
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