By Roy Mabasa
The Philippines and the Czech Republic have just concluded the conduct of the first Joint Defense Committee (JDC) that potentially opened the door for possible military and defense cooperation between the two countries.
Co-chaired by Philippine Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna and Czech Defense Vice Minister Jakub Landovský, the two parties opened the JDC in Prague last week and discussed prospects of further enhancing the two countries’ bilateral defense cooperation
The two sides also exchanged information on plans for the development of armed forces, discussed potential joint defense industrial projects, as well as exchanged views on the security situation in Europe and Southeast Asia.
In a statement posted on the Embassy’s social media account, Consul Juan Dayang Jr., who was Chargé d'affaires when the Defense Cooperation was signed in Prague in May 2017, said both sides agreed to establish a Working Subcommittee on Defense Industrial Cooperation. The meeting was also attended by Philippine Ambassador to Prague Ombra Jainal.
The other members of the Philippine delegation were Philippine Ambassador to Prague Ombra Jainal, Defense Asst. Secretary for International Affairs Cirilo Torralba, Defense Asst. Secretary for Logistics and Acquisition Rey Avila, Philippine Defense and Military Attache to Spain Col. Harold Anthony Pascua and Col. Rammuel Perez from the Office of the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Education and Training.
Prior to the meeting, Ambassador Jainal paid a courtesy call on Czech Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar in preparation for the historic JDC meeting.