President Aquino welcomes US Defense Secretary
Hagel in Malacanang
President Benigno S. Aquino III welcomed United
States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel who emphasized his country's commitment to
the "deep and unbreakable" alliance between the Philippines and the
United States.
During a courtesy call at the Music Room of
Malacanang Palace on Friday, Hagel expressed his gratitude to the Chief
Executive for the warm welcome accorded him.
Hagel was sworn in as the 24th Secretary of
Defense on February 27, 2013, becoming the first enlisted combat veteran to
lead the Department of Defense.
Hagel's visit to the Philippines is seen as a
continuing US effort to assure the Philippines that it will help maintain peace
in the region amid territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea.
The President met Hagel in a bid to enhance
vibrant relations between the Philippines and the US on various issues of
mutual concerns, especially in defense and security matters.
The Philippines is presently negotiating with
the United States to institutionalize the policy of increased rotational
presence of American troops through a framework agreement.
The negotiations will enable the Philippines and
US to conduct activities such as bilateral exercises, including the
prepositioning of equipment for disaster response and development of Philippine
facilities, among others.
Joining the President in welcoming Hagel were
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Yabes,
Armed Forces of the Philippine Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista,
Defense Assistant Secretary Raymund Quilop, Foreign Affairs Acting Assistant
Secretary Gina Jamoralin, among others.
Also in attendance were US Ambassador Harry K.
Thomas Jr., US Department of Defense Chief of Staff Mark Lippert, Acting
Assistant Secretary for Asia Policy Dr. Peter Lavoy, Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Defense for Southeast Asia Vikram Singh and USMC Senior Military Assistant
Lieutenant General Thomas Waldhauser.
Hagel is in Manila in the last leg of a
week-long Southeast Asian tour that included Malaysia, Indonesia, and
attendance to the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting in Brunei before returning to
Washington August 30. PND (js)
Gazmin says Philippines and United States
continue to seek ways to develop each other’s capabilities for regional peace
and stability
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said the
Philippines and the United States (US) continue to seek ways to develop each
other’s capabilities to address the security challenges of mutual concern and
contribute to regional peace and stability.
"Our alliance remains relevant today as it
was before," Gazmin said in his remarks during the press conference on the
visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to Manila held at the Heroes' Hall
of Malacanang Palace on Friday.
Hagel is in Manila as part of his four-nation
trip to South-East Asia.
"As fellow members of the ASEAN defense
ministers’ meeting (ADMM)-plus, which was convened for the second time
yesterday (Thursday) in Brunei Darussalam, the defense establishments of our
two countries deemed
it important to enhance our relations not only
as allies but also as fellow stakeholders of regional security," Gazmin
said.
Hagel's visit to Manila coincides with the 62nd
anniversary of the signing of the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty.
"The visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck
Hagel to the Philippines coincides with an important date for Philippines-U.S.
defense relations for it was on August 30, 1951 that the Mutual Defense Treaty
was signed," Gazmin said.
"The defense relations between our two
countries have evolved since then. From military-to-military relations between
the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Pacific Command, we have begun
conducting policy consultations between our defense establishments," Gazmin
added.
In addition to the bilateral strategic dialogue
between senior officials from the Defense and Foreign Affairs Departments of
the Philippines and the US, which was first held in 2011, Gazmin said the two
countries held the two-plus-two ministerial consultations between the
secretaries of the Philippine and U.S. Defense and Foreign Affairs Departments
in April 2012.
Gazmin said the Philippines and US Defense
departments are focusing on key areas of cooperation, including maritime
security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response, and cyber security
and information sharing.
"Indeed, after more than 60 years, the
alliance between the Philippines and the U.S. remain relevant as we continue to
enhance our capacity to address current concerns and emerging security issues.
Thus, we shall continue to work closely to promote our common interests as well
as peace and stability in the region," he stressed. PND (js)
US Defense Secretary says he had productive
meeting with President Aquino, assures that U.S. remains committed to further
develop ties with the Philippines
United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said
he had a productive meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III on Friday and
assured that the US remains committed to further develop its close ties with
the Philippines.
"In my meeting with President Aquino, I
noted that the deep and unbreakable alliance between United States and
Philippines is an anchor for peace and stability and prosperity in this
region," Hagel said in his remark during a joint press conference with
Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin held at the Heroes' Hall of Malacanang
Palace.
"Our close ties with the Philippines have
been forged through history of shared sacrifice and common purpose, and
continuing to strengthen the close partnership between our nations is an
important part of America’s long-term strategy of re-balancing in the Asia
Pacific,” he said.”
Hagel is in Manila as part of his four-nation
trip to South-East Asia. During his visit, Hagel paid a courtesy call on the
Chief Executive at the Music Room of Malacanang Palace on Friday.
"One thing that I want to emphasize is that
United States is committed to the mutual defense treaty between our nations. It
was borne out of Americans and Filipinos fighting shoulder-to-shoulder during
World War II, and it has formed the foundation of the US-Philippines security
relationship for more than 60 years," Hagel stressed.
Hagel's visit to the Philippines is seen as a
continuing US effort to assure the Philippines that it will help maintain peace
in the region amid territorial dispute in the West Philippine Sea. PND (js)
US Defense Chief Hagel reaffirms commitment for
greater US-Philippine military cooperation
Visiting United States Defense Secretary Chuck
Hagel reaffirmed his country’s commitment to the ongoing discussions on a
Framework Agreement that will allow wider US military presence in the
Philippines for greater regional stability.
In a statement following his meeting with
President Benigno S. Aquino III Friday in Malacanang, Hagel said the agreement
will strengthen cooperation between the two countries militarily and help them
work together more effectively.
“So, both now and the future, that relationship
will strengthen,” Hagel said adding that “this progress is welcomed and
encouraging. I noted that negotiating teams are working hard to finish the
Framework Agreement in the near future.”
The US official also assured that the United
States doesn’t seek permanent bases in the Philippines and instead use a new
model of military-to-military cooperation suited for the US and the Philippines
military partnership.
Hagel said that the US looks to increase its
rotational presence in the Philippines as what America did recently in
Singapore and Australia.
“Such an arrangement would benefit both our
militaries by increasing our ability to train and operate together. Deepening
engagement opportunities between our forces will further support President
Aquino’s defense modernization agenda,” the US defense official said.
Hagel said the US has a great deal of experience
in building a modern military and his country is willing to share what it
learned in the past to its Filipino allies.
Hagel stressed that he discussed with President
Aquino the situation in the South China Sea, an issue which the United States
and its partners hope to resolve through peaceful means and without coercion.
The US, he said, supports ASEAN’s efforts to
negotiate the South China Sea Code of Conduct, which will help
peacefully-manage disagreements and tensions arising from competing territorial
and maritime claims.
Hagel encouraged claimant nations to peacefully
resolve their disputes to internationally accepted mechanisms in accordance
with international law including the Law of the Sea.
Hagel said the US supports the Philippines’
efforts to solve its dispute by bringing the issue to international
arbitration.
The US Defense Secretary arrived in Manila as
part of his four-nation trip to South-East Asia. His visit to the Philippines
coincides with the 62nd anniversary of the signing of the Philippines-US Mutual
Defense Treaty on August 30, 1951. PND (as)
United States Defense Secretary says U.S. seeks
international coalition in response to Syria’s alleged use of chemical weapons
United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said
on Friday that the US is presently seeking an international coalition in response
to the move of Syria of reportedly using chemical weapons.
During a joint press conference held at the
Heroes Hall in Malacanang Palace on Friday, Hagel emphasized the need to seek
consultations with its allies in response to Syria's alleged use of chemical
weapons.
The Syrian government forces are accused of
being behind a chemical attack on a Damascus suburb on August 21 that
reportedly killed hundreds of people.
"As to an international effort and
collaboration, it is the goal of President (Barrack) Obama and our government
to whatever decision is taking, that it be an international collaboration and
an effort," Hagel said.
"We are continuing to consult with the
British as we are with all of our allies and partners; and that consultation
includes ways forward together on our response to this chemical weapons attack
in Syria," he stressed.
Hagel said Washington respected the position of
the British parliament in rejecting participation in any punitive strikes
against Syria's regime.
The British government was defeated by just 13
votes in the House of Commons in its bid for a "strong humanitarian
response" to the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime.
"First, every nation has responsibility to
make their own decisions, and we respect that of any nation. The British have
been very strong in condemning the Syrian regime’s used of chemical weapons.
And that vote in the parliament doesn’t change that. And that’s a very
significant position for any nation to take publicly," Hagel stressed.
"So, our approach is to continue to find an
international coalition that will act together and I think you’re seeing a
number of countries publicly state their position on the use of chemical
weapons," he concluded. PND (js)
Aquino leads PSG change of command ceremony
President Benigno S. Aquino III attended Friday
the change of command of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) at Malacanang
Park recognizing PSG’s contribution to nation building.
In his message during the event, the President
told the members of the PSG to continue traversing the righteous path in the
remaining years of the Aquino administration.
“Bilang mga lingkod-bayan, nananatili ang hamon
sa atin ng sambayanang Pilipino na ibandera ang tapat at mabuting pamamahala,”
he said.
“Huwag nating bibiguin ang ating mga Boss;
pangunahan, at igabay natin sila sa landas ng ganap at malawakang pagbabago ng
Pilipinas.”
The President praised outgoing PSG chief Brig.
Gen. Ramon Mateo Dizon for reforming the PSG and maintaining its dignity and
dedication to service.
To the incoming PSG head, Navy Capt. Raul
Ubando, the President said the new PSG leadership will inherit a dedicated and
capable security force. He said he expects the new PSG chief to continue the
reform measures carried out by Dizon.
Ubando, the first head of the PSG to come from
the Philippine Navy, is a graduate of Philippine Military Academy. He earned
his Masters in Management from the Philippine Christian University in Manila.
Ubando was commissioned in the navy in 1985.
Early in his career, Ubando served the navy ship
Rajah Lakandula and after the EDSA People Popwer Revolution, he was assigned at
the BRP Ang Pangulo. In 1988, he was assigned to BRP Quezon based in Palawan.
Ubando’s first stint at the PSG was in December 1989
under former President Corazon Aquino. In 1999 he was reassigned to his mother
unit.
In June 2010, in his second tour of duty in the
PSG, Ubando was designated as the Deputy Group Commander. In October 2012, he
became the senior military/aide-de-camp of President Aquino.
Ubando is a recipient of numerous military
awards and decorations both in combat and administration such as the
Distinguished Service Stars, Bronze Cross Medal, Military Merit Medal, and
Military Civic Action Medal.
He is married to Ms Annie Untalan and with two
children Abigail and Ralph Kevin.
Organized in 1986, the PSG ensures the security
of the President, his Cabinet, the official family, visiting dignitaries and
the Palace complex. Under President Aquino, the PSG conducted more than 3,000
security operations both in the Philippines and abroad.
Also present during Friday’s event were Defense
Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Sonny Coloma, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino and officials of the
armed services. PND (as)
