Ambassadors of New Zealand and Vietnam to the Philippines were met by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in separate virtual courtesy calls last week.
(NTF Against COVID-19 / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Lorenzana welcomed New Zealand's new Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell last August 27 through a digital introductory call following the postponement of their meeting in March due to the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine.
The two officials exchanged best practices and measures in fighting the pandemic. Ambassador Kell updated the secretary about the COVID-19 situation in his country where new cases were reported anew in Auckland after 102 days of having no active cases.
Ambassador Kell also emphasized the significant role of the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF), specifically in managing isolation facilities, planning, and assisting police forces in checkpoints.
Lorenzana gave updates about the situation in the Philippines and shared the government's efforts in combating the pandemic, adding that the country is hoping to flatten the curve this month.
Ambassador Kell also expressed through Lorenzana his country’s condolences to the families of military personnel who died in the recent Jolo bombing incident.
Meanwhile, Vietnam Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Hoy Chung also expressed his sympathies and condolences to families of soldiers who died in the bombing incident during a separate virtual courtesy call also last Friday.
Ambassador Chung conveyed his country's strong condemnation against terrorism. Lorenzana assured him that the Philippine government is taking its best effort to apprehend the perpetrators of the attack.
During the meeting, the two officials discussed the upcoming ASEAN Defense Ministries’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. Ambassador Chung expressed his anticipation of the Philippine delegation's attendance in the event to be held in Hanoi, Vietnam on December 9 to 11.
"We are praying, His Excellency, that by December 9 to 11, maybe when the situation has improved a lot, I will be there for the ADMM-Plus," Lorenzana told the ambassador.