PH, Italy keen on further enhancing defense ties

Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. received the Italian delegation led by Ambassador Marco Clemente and visiting Deputy Minister of Defence Matteo Perego di Cremnago during their courtesy visit to the Department of National Defense (DND) on July 11, 2023. (Photo: Department of National Defense – Philippines)

This was after Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. received the Italian delegation led by Ambassador Marco Clemente and visiting Deputy Defense Minister Perego di Cremnago during their courtesy visit on July 11.

“Both maritime nations looked forward to enhancing the defense partnership between the Philippines and Italy as both countries share interest in global peace and the freedoms guaranteed by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” said DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong in a statement Thursday.

Both nations also noted the seventh anniversary of the South China Sea (SCS) Arbitration Award on July 12, 2016, which upholds the primacy of the UNCLOS as the law of the sea, and for which Italy, among other states, has expressed firm support.

The DND chief also stressed the significance of broad international recognition of and support for the Arbitral Award which would be beneficial for all countries.

“Further to cooperation in terms of acquisition of hard assets, Secretary Teodoro emphasized the importance of laying down a framework for defense cooperation, which will help build a foundation for resilience against future security challenges and also cover the enhancement of personnel capacities, including in the areas of maritime domain and the law of the sea,” Andolong said.

The Italian defense official’s visit to Manila coincided with the four-day goodwill visit of the Italian offshore patrol vessel Francesco Morosini which took place from July 8 to 11.

The Francesco Morosini is one of the Italian Navy’s latest and most advanced multipurpose offshore patrol vessels.

“The Morosini is in the region to promote naval diplomacy and freedom of navigation in the SCS (South China Sea) The Deputy Minister’s visit as well as that of the Morosini signal Italy’s keen interest in fostering closer relations with the Philippines,” Andolong said.

Also on July 11, Teodoro and National Security Adviser Eduardo Año met a delegation from the US Business Executives for National Security (BENS) led by its president and chief executive officer, retired American Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, and accompanied by US Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay L. Carlson.

BENS is exploring investment opportunities in support of common national security objectives.

“During the meeting, both Philippine security officials welcomed US investments that align with the Philippines’ national security priorities and seek to foster an environment conducive to mutually beneficial collaborations,” Andolong said.

Teodoro underscored three priority areas for the defense sector, specifically the implementation of the Philippines’ Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) Program; reorganization of the Defense Department; and the creation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Retirement Trust Fund.

“Secretary Teodoro emphasized the importance of partnerships with US investors to strengthen defense industries and develop advanced technologies, as well as contribute their expertise and collaborate with Philippine defense agencies to further enhance the overall defense capabilities of the Philippines,” Andolong said.

He added that this engagement between the Philippine security officials and BENS underscored the commitment to building strong partnerships and leveraging private-sector expertise to bolster the defense sector.

“The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued dialogue and cooperation between the Philippines and the US, with the aim of advancing national security objectives and fostering a secure and prosperous future,” Andolong said.