MANILA, Philippines – MULING pinagtibay ng Pilipinas at New Zealand ang matatag at malakas na ‘defense cooperation’ sa sidelines ng ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) sa Vientiane, Laos, araw ng Miyerkules, Nobyembre 20.
Sa nasabing event, nagpulong sina Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. at New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins para talakayin ang mga ibinahaging alalahanin sa seguridad at mga paraan para sa pakikipagtulungan.
“Secretary Teodoro underscored the importance of a rules-based international order to promote peace and stability in the region. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to address security challenges, particularly those stemming from non-state actors, which he noted are affecting not only the Philippines but other countries as well,” ang sinabi ni DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong.
Ipinahayag kasi ni Collins ang pag-aalala ng New Zealand hinggil sa mga kaganapan at nangyayari sa West Philippine Sea, kung saan inialok nito ang suporta ng kanyang bansa sa Pilipinas.
Tinukoy nito ang matatag na relasyon sa pagitan ng Maynila at Wellington at kanilang ibinahaging interest at layunin sa ‘regional security and cooperation.’
“Both officials acknowledged the growing importance of collaboration in addressing non-traditional security threats, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR). Secretary Teodoro welcomed engagements in this area, stating that ‘we need it now more than ever’,” ang winika ni Andolong.
Sa isinagawang ADMM, pinangunahan nina Teodoro at Lao Deputy Prime Minister at Minister of Defense General Chansamone Chanyalath ang ceremonial signing ng bagong memorandum of understanding (MOU) sa defense cooperation, ginunita ang 70 taon ng diplomatic relations sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at Laos.
“Secretary Teodoro underscored the shared challenges faced by both countries, such as natural disasters, and the potential for mutual learning and collaboration. He emphasized the importance of fostering trust and confidence between their armed forces, describing the cooperation as a step toward ‘a more fraternal ASEAN’,” ang litaniya ni Andolong.
Sa ilalim ng MOU, magtutulungan ang dalawang bansa sa mga aspeto na gaya ng HADR, disaster risk reduction, joint military training at English language at cultural exchanges. Kris Jose
