In a significant diplomatic move, the defense ministers of the Philippines and the Czech Republic met at the Makati Shangri-La in Manila, reinforcing their commitment to deepen defense cooperation. This meeting, led by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová, aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s strategy to enhance the nation’s defense alliances.
The discussions highlighted the long-standing relationship between the two nations, which began with the establishment of diplomatic ties on October 5, 1973. This meeting was particularly notable as it marked the first official visit by a Czech Defense Minister to the Philippines, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Manila’s liberation during World War II.
A key focus of the meeting was the revival of the Philippine-Czech Joint Defense Committee (JDC), which last convened on February 5, 2025. Both nations recognized the JDC as a vital platform for advancing their defense collaboration, especially in areas like capability development, training, and defense industry partnerships.
Secretary Teodoro updated Minister Černochová on the security dynamics in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea, emphasizing the Philippines’ dedication to resolving disputes peacefully through diplomacy. He also highlighted the importance of the Philippine Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC) and the need to bolster the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) through modernization and strategic international partnerships.
The dialogue extended to the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, with the Philippines looking to collaborate with partners to enhance its defense industry and domestic capabilities. Both countries also explored deeper cooperation in cybersecurity, focusing on skill enhancement and sharing strategies to combat hybrid threats and disinformation.
Minister Černochová concluded the meeting by reaffirming the Czech Republic’s commitment to strengthening defense ties with the Philippines, expressing optimism that continued collaboration would enhance regional and global security, resilience, and stability.
In related news, the AFP has pledged to ensure the upcoming May 12 elections are peaceful, credible, and orderly, as instructed by the President. The AFP emphasized its role in protecting democracy and maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, promising to work closely with the Commission on Elections and other agencies to provide a safe voting environment. The AFP reiterated its non-partisan stance and commitment to the Constitution, vowing not to be swayed by political agendas and to focus solely on serving and protecting the Filipino people. The AFP called on the public to remain vigilant and cooperative, ensuring the elections contribute to national unity and stability.