GOVPH

SECRETARY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE LAUNCHES NEW PHILIPPINE NAVY CORVETTE BRP MIGUEL MALVAR IN SOUTH KOREA

Philippine Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. attended the launching ceremony of BRP Miguel Malvar at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in Ulsan, South Korea on 18 June 2024. He was joined by PH Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega and other officials. Special Envoy for UNICEF Monica Prieto-Teodoro served as the ship’s godmother.

ULSAN, 18 JUNE 2024. Philippine Secretary of National Defense (SND) Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. attended the launching ceremony of BRP Miguel Malvar at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard (HHI) in Ulsan, South Korea on 18 June 2024. Special Envoy for UNICEF Monica Prieto-Teodoro served as the ship’s godmother. BRP Miguel Malvar is Hyundai Heavy Industries’ first corvette for the Philippine Navy and a symbol of increasing PH-ROK cooperation in defense modernization.

BRP Miguel Malvar is a state-of-the-art surface combatant measuring 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in breadth, with a cruising speed of 15 knots (about 28 km/h) and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330 km). It is equipped with advanced weapon systems such as anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems, and 3D AESA radar. It is named in honor of the Philippine independence activist and revolutionary General Miguel Malvar. The BRP Miguel Malvar will undergo sea trials and outfitting before being delivered to the Philippine Navy by 2025.

At the Launching Ceremony, SND Teodoro looked forward to continued PH-ROK cooperation in defense modernization, stating that the partnership is a natural progression after standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the 1950s Korean War followed by 75 years of advanced cooperation across a multitude of fields. 

“We made a special effort to attend the launching of BRP Miguel Malvar to show our commitment to work with the government of the Republic of Korea towards ensuring a principled peace in the Indo-Pacific area,” the Secretary said.

As a defense modernization partner, the Secretary affirmed the good relationship between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea by saying, “I am happy to note that companies in the Republic of Korea have proven their quality, their reliability, and good faith in negotiations. Governance standards are kept high. Therefore, we look forward to working with you on a sustainable and sustained basis.”

HHI CEO Mr. Sang-Kyun Lee conveyed that HHI is returning, with gratitude the sacrifice made by the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who fought in the 1950s Korean War and that the company will strive to participate in the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Horizon 3 Modernization Program to contribute to the advancement of the Philippine’s Navy’s Defense Capabilities.

At the luncheon that followed the launching ceremony, Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega said that it is an auspicious occasion to be launching a critical naval asset during the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Republic of Korea relations.  She assured that both countries will continue to work together based on shared principles such as respect for human rights, democracy, and the rules-based order and looked forward to strengthening the Philippines’ partnership with the ROK in defense.

During his short visit to the Republic of Korea, SND Teodoro was able to meet high-level officials from the Ministry of National Defense (MND) Director General for International Policy Lee Seung-Beon, the Korean Coast Guard (KCG) Vice Admiral Kang Dongwi, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) Vice Minister Kang Hwan-seung. In a side meeting with high-level officials, Secretary Teodoro affirmed the historic and enduring partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea based on the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law and conveyed that, “Our participation in the fight for freedom during the Korean War would be wasted if we do not continue the fight for a rules-based international order. What we are doing (partnership in defense modernization) is a continuation of the cooperation of our forefathers.”

He likewise expressed appreciation for the Republic of Korea’s public statements expressing serious concern for aggressive actions in the South China Sea that go against a rules-based maritime order and endanger Philippine vessels and crew members. SND Teodoro encouraged the PH-ROK partnership to move forward through capacity-building and specific confidence-building measures, including practical cooperation with the Republic of Korea especially on the maritime front.

The Republic of Korea is a major defense modernization partner to the Philippines. HHI is actively supporting the Philippine Navy’s efforts to modernize and reinforce Philippine naval forces through contracts to build new ships and maintain their interoperability during the ship lifecycle under the AFP Modernization Program (Horizon II). A total of ten (10) new vessels, ranging from Frigates, Corvettes, and Off-shore Patrol Vessels from HHI will augment the Philippine fleet.

The BRP Miguel Malvar Launching Ceremony was also attended by Undersecretary for Civil, Veteran, and Reserve Affairs, Mr. Pablo M. Lorenzo, Undersecretary for Acquisition and Resource Management, Mr. Salvador Melchor B. Mison, Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), LTGEN Romeo S. Brawner, and Flag Officer-In-Command of the Philippine Navy, VADM Toribio D. Adaci Jr. and other distinguished guests.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul also honors the efforts of Overseas Filipino Workers in South Korea working at HHI’s Ulsan shipyard who have contributed immensely to the construction of BRP Miguel Malvar. END

BRP Miguel Malvar is a state-of-the-art surface combatant measuring 118.4 meters in length and 14.9 meters in breadth, with a cruising speed of 15 knots (about 28 km/h) and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,330 km). It is equipped with advanced weapon systems such as anti-ship missiles, vertical launch systems, and 3D AESA radar.

Secretary Teodoro also had the opportunity to engage with Filipino military servicemen detailed in the Republic of Korea and thanked them for their service. Filipino military servicemen in Korea are a source of pride for the country, often gaining recognition during scholarship for their exceptional performance while stationed in ROK.

Secretary Teodoro had the opportunity to meet with HHI senior officials and ROK officials in defense. SND Teodoro encouraged the PH-ROK partnership to move forward through capacity-building and specific confidence-building measures, including practical cooperation with the Republic of Korea especially on the maritime front.

SND Teodoro, PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega and other PH defense officials in a brief meeting with Ministry of National Defense Director General for International Policy Lee Seung Beon.

Special Envoy for UNICEF Monica Louise Prieto Teodoro (in cream, fourth from left) served as the BRP Miguel Malvar’s godmother.

Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro and Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega raise a toast to PH-ROK defense modernization. Secretary Teodoro underscored that PH-ROK cooperation is kinship forged in blood moving forward with an indomitable spirit.

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY PARTICIPATES IN ROK’S BRIEFING ON SMART CITY AND ADMINISTRATIVE CITY DEVELOPMENT

04 June 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul represented by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, looked forward to closer smart city and administrative city development cooperation, in a meeting presided over by Mr. Hyeong Ryeol Kim, Administrator of the National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC) of the Republic of Korea on 16 May 2024.

Ambassador De Vega welcomed the key concepts of the ROK’s Administrative City as well as provided updates on the developments in the roll out of the Sejong Administrative City as presented by the NAACC. Administrator Kim also shared that the main objective of the administrative city concept is to achieve balanced national development and increased national competitiveness. NAACC also aims to create a self-sufficient city with a population of 500,000 by 2030. Among the mechanisms which the NAACC will utilize to realize more international cooperation will be MOUs, High-level Technical Meetings, Capacity-Building, Private Sector Collaboration, and ODA support.

The Philippines and the Republic of Korea continue to work together for increased international cooperation and engagement in terms of sharing smart and sustainable city best practices. In 2022, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC) of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea’s Land and Housing Corporation (LH) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on development cooperation to build a smart city at the Clark Freeport Zone. The Philippines looks forward to closer cooperation with the Republic of Korea in the development of future-oriented cities. END

PHILIPPINES SUPPORTS FEALAC’S ROLE IN BRIDGING EAST ASIA AND LATIN AMERICA; LOOKS FORWARD TO MORE MEANINGFUL COLLABORATION AMONG FEALAC MEMBER STATES

02 June 2024, Seoul. The Forum for East-Asia Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) Cyber Secretariat organized a special exhibition commemorating FEALAC’s 25^th anniversary from 14 to 17 May 2024 at the Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, ROK. The FEALAC Cyber Secretariat is headquartered in Seoul. 

On 16 May 2024, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega met FEALAC Supporters and shared the evolving role of FEALAC as an essential platform between Asia and Latin America. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega had a friendly exchange in the Spanish language with the FEALAC Youth Supporters and recounted her time as a junior diplomat in Mexico.  

The Philippines as a founding member continuous to support FEALAC in its projects and maintains an annual contribution of US$ 10,000 to the FEALAC trust fund. For the Philippines, being a member of FEALAC has diversified and deepened its cooperation with Latin American countries especially in the areas of agriculture, renewable energy, science and technology, defense, disaster risk reduction and management, peace process, among others. END