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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gibo invites Ireland to join in West PH Sea patrols

Gibo invites Ireland to join in West PH Sea patrols

Published Oct 8, 2025 02:40 pm
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (left) shakes hands with Irish Ambassador to the Philippines Emma Hickey during the latter’s introductory call on the defense chief at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Oct. 6, 2025. Teodoro invited Ireland to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines in patrolling the West Philippine Sea, according to the DND. (Photo: DND)
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (left) shakes hands with Irish Ambassador to the Philippines Emma Hickey during the latter’s introductory call on the defense chief at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Oct. 6, 2025. Teodoro invited Ireland to join the Armed Forces of the Philippines in patrolling the West Philippine Sea, according to the DND. (Photo: DND)
Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has invited Ireland to participate in joint patrols with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Teodoro made the pitch to Irish Ambassador to the Philippines Emma Hickey during the latter’s introductory call on the defense chief at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City last Monday, Oct. 6.
“On the area of maritime security, Secretary Teodoro invited Ireland to conduct a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) with the Philippines as a manifestation of both countries' commitment to uphold a rules-based international order,” read a statement from the DND on Wednesday, Oct. 8.
Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Ireland were established in July 1984 but Manila and Dublin currently have no existing formal defense cooperation framework.
Ireland may soon join the growing roster of the DND’s defense and security partners as both countries explore possible areas of cooperation in maritime security, peacekeeping, and defense capacity building, according to the DND.
“In this regard, Secretary Teodoro welcomed exchanges of best practices with Ireland on force recruitment and sustainment,” the defense department said.
The DND said this effort is aligned with its efforts to build its capabilities through establishing cross-regional linkages as well as Ireland's 2024 Defense Policy Review to improve its military structure.
The Irish government is currently implementing its Global Ireland framework in strengthening political, economic, cultural, and community ties across the globe.
The DND has been expanding its network of alliances with “like-minded” and friendly nations as part of a strategy to enhance deterrence and address shared security challenges amid China’s continued expansion in the WPS.

Related Tags

DND Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Ireland West Philippine Sea WPS MCA maritime cooperative activity patrols
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