Around 160 delegates, including military veterans, from 10 Southeast Asian nations gathered in Pasay City on Monday, Nov. 27, to promote unity and collaboration among veterans' organizations and foster regional solidarity through impactful initiatives.
The 35th Executive Board Meeting of the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) hosted by the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) convened military veterans from the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
"The meeting's agenda included discussions on organized visits to the ASEAN Secretariat, the commemoration of VECONAC Founding Day, sustainability initiatives, the establishment of a business platform for economic cooperation among veteran businesspersons and businesses across ASEAN, and greater involvement of women in the VECONAC," said retired Philippine Air Force (PAF) Major General Romeo D. Alamillo, VFP president.
During the meeting, the confederation revised their draft resolutions underscoring the commitment of the region's veterans to the VECONAC vision of promoting and defending regional peace and security while actively ensuring the health and well-being of all veterans in the ASEAN community.
The resolutions were adopted at the 22nd General Assembly of VENOVAC on Tuesday, Nov. 28, which was graced by Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
In his speech, Teodoro lauded the VECONAC 2023 objectives to promote the welfare and well-being of veterans and their families.
"You are here because you symbolize those who struggle individually to free your peoples from the bonds of colonialism and hindrance to seeking your own aspirations, the liberties of your people, and to provide your children, your grandchildren or maybe your parents did so, to provide them a stable future," he said.
The defense chief urged the veteran delegates to promote strong multilateral cooperation, urging them to support a free and open region that respects the rule of law and resolves disputes peacefully.
"Thus, we also seek the understanding and support of our ASEAN brethren, particularly those who have sacrificed their lives, their blood, and their individual futures for a greater good,” Teodoro said.
VECONAC-member countries, including the Philippines, also exchanged country reports to facilitate the benchmarking of programs concerning the welfare of veterans.
The delegates also paid tribute to deceased veterans during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani in Fort Andres Bonifacio, Taguig City.
The heads of delegation included Lt. Col. (Ret.) Ramli B Abd Hadis, President of the Veterans Association of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; General Kun Kim, Senior Minister and Deputy President of the Cambodian Veterans Association; Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Muzani Syukur, 1st Vice President of the Legion Veterans of the Republic of Indonesia; Lt. Gen. Sengnouane Sayalat, President of the Lao Veterans Federation; Apt. Datuk Sharuddin Bin Hj Omar (Ret.), President of the Veterans Association of the Malaysian Armed Forces;
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ye Aung, Vice President of the Myanmar War Veterans Organization; Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Reynaldo B Mapagu, Administrator of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office; BG (Ret.) Winston Toh, President of the Singapore Armed Forces Veterans League; General Detnitit Luangngamkum, Director-General of the War Veterans Organization in Thailand; and Sr. Lt. General Be Xuan Truong, President of the Veterans Association of Vietnam.
The VECONAC was established in Jakarta, Indonesia in 1980 to ensure the protection and promotion of the general welfare of all veterans of each member nation to ensure they become self-reliant and productive citizens of their respective countries.
The VECONAC meets annually and adopts the rotational system of Chairmanship/hosting. Starting in 2025, it will start the alphabetical order of hosting.
Over the years, VECONAC member countries have carried out several initiatives, including exchanging delegations and information, sharing experiences, as well as participating in support and development programs.