Key officials from Canada and Italy have visited the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Navy (PN) in Manila to reaffirm their commitment to collaborate on several areas including modernization and maritime domain awareness.
(L-R) Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu (Photo: PCG)
PCG Commandant Adm. Artemio Abu met with Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman at the PCG National Headquarters in Port Area, Manila on Wednesday, July 12.
“During the meeting, Admiral Abu emphasized [that] its collaboration with the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines on maritime domain awareness, training, and trade opportunities are geared towards becoming a world-class organization,” PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said in a statement.
Canada has been a firm supporter of the Philippines’ sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). It has called out China several times for its reported intrusions and illegal activities in the area.
Coincidentally, the Philippines commemorated the seventh anniversary of the release of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's (PCA) tribunal ruling on the South China Sea on Wednesday.
(L-R) Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Defense Matteo Perego Di Cremnago and Philippine Navy Vice Commander Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia (Photo: Philippine Navy)
Meanwhile, Italy’s Undersecretary of State for Defense Matteo Perego Di Cremnago paid a courtesy visit at the Naval Station Jose Andrada on Tuesday, July 11. He was received by PN Vice Commander Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia.
Valencia conveyed the Navy’s appreciation of the mutual desire by both countries to strengthen their cooperation.
The two officials also discussed possible future undertakings to highlight the strategic partnership between the naval forces of the Philippines and Italy.
“We look forward to whatever will transpire with the bilateral agreement, as we know the capability of Marine Militare Italiana (Italian Navy),” Valencia said.
For his part, Cremnago thanked the Navy for its “warm welcome and hospitality” as he looked forward to more cooperation between Manila and Rome in the field of defense especially to the naval maritime domain.
The meeting between Cremnago and Valencia coincided with the goodwill visit of Italian Navy Ship Francesco Morosini (P431) in Manila.