SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA- In celebration of the Maritime Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo), the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in South Korea conducted a one-hour dialogue series entitled "Philippines-Korea Maritime Cooperation: Taking Stock and Moving Forward" on September 18, 2021 in a virtual meeting through zoom. The forum was graced by Ma. Theresa B. Dizon- De Vega, the Ambassador-designate to South Korea which was participated by 43 Filipino officers and cadets as well as Korean cadets in different branch of service.
From the start, Chief of Naval Staff Commodore Caesar Bernard N. Valencia reiterated the Philippine-South Korean historical relations and Framework of Cooperation between the two countries as a legal basis of the pursuit such as: 1) Memorandum of Understanding on Logistics and Defense Industry Cooperation 2) 2009 Memorandum Of Understanding Concerning Logistics Cooperation. 3) 2013 Memorandum of Understanding Between the AFP and ROK Armed Forces Concerning Cooperation in the Field of Defense, and 4) 2019 Terms of Reference for the PMC-ROKMC Marine to Marine Staff Talks..
Commodore Valencia highlighted that sustainment is the foundation for Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy. In regard with this, way ahead plans such as Biennial Navy to Navy Talks: ROKN hosted 2022 NTNT, Information sharing on maritime security and continuous cooperation in terms of modernization are set to happen.
Former Defense Armed Forces Attache (DAFA) CAPT. Armil M. Angeles, PN (GSC) uttered that maritime cooperation is all about relationship. Engagement and trust is important to deepen relations through military and diplomatic cooperation and hoping that he was able to elevate the SK-Phil. maritime relationship during his post.
Col. Enriqueto R. Deocadez, Jr. PA (MNSA) the current DAFA believed that the naval activitIes in vast waters will serve as bridges in connecting cooperation. He added that whatever threats in the horizon may arise, Philippines and South Korea can be collectively responsive against it.
During the open forum, Midshipman Lee Sangmin from ROK Naval Academy asked the speakers if whether public interest in national security is high, the latter responded that even national security is very broad, public awareness of security threats in the Philippines is high and as a matter of fact, Armed Forces of the Philippines has the highest rating of public trust among government agencies. On the other hand, "public interest on national security in South Korea is also increasing because of cyber security threats and financial security."
"As a cadet, that is the only thing that I would like to advise to you. Study hard, not just hard, but very, very hard and bring honor to our country", Chief of Naval Staff Commodore Caesar Bernard N. Valencia's advice when asked by Cadet Domingo on how cadets be able to deepen South Korea-Philippines maritime cooperation.
Ambassador-designate Ma. Theresa B. Dizon- De Vega on the other hand is open for cultural and social events and willing to extend invitations to South Korea cadets for engagement that could contribute a life-long, professional, social and personal relationship when asked by Cadet Kang Myeongseok on how to promote the PH-ROK relationship through other means.
South Korea and Philippines bilateral relations started in 1949 when the Philippines deployed the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) during the Korean War to help defend itself from invasion of the North. (Eric Delgado)
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