The government of Iran is eyeing to strengthen its cooperation with the Philippines in the fields of disaster management, counter-terrorism, and enhancing its self-reliant defense posture (SRDP) program.
Department of National Defense (DND) spokesperson Arsenio Andolong disclosed this during the recent courtesy visit of Iran Ambassador to the Philippines Alireza Tootoonchian to the DND Building in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
Tootoonchian was received by DND Undersecretary for civil, veterans, and retiree affairs Nemesio Gacal.
During their meeting, Tootoonchian mentioned that Iran and Philippines are both prone to natural disasters and calamities, and share similar security issues related to terrorism and violent extremism.
“Ambassador Tootoonchian expressed the intent of Iran to develop defense cooperation with the Philippines, particularly in the areas of disaster management and response, counter-terrorism, and self-reliant defense posture (SRDP),” Andolong said on Thursday, Oct. 13.
For his part, Gacal conveyed the DND’s openness to explore engagements with non-traditional partners such as Iran in line with the country’s independent foreign policy.
He highlighted the importance of strengthening the Philippines’ SRDP to better address pressing security challenges. This would mean the development of the country’s own manufacturing capabilities using local resources to address defense needs and veer away from importation.
“Both officials looked forward to developing bilateral defense relations and study possible areas of cooperation between the two defense and military establishments,” Andolong said.