Asia Pacific Women’s Group Conduct Meeting in Preparation for Bazaar
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he Asia Pacific Women’s Group (APWG) in Moscow headed by Mrs. Concepcion Garcia conducted a meeting
last September 10 to discuss the preparation for the APWG Charity Bazaar on September 26. The group aims to
raise funds and provide assistance to Russian orphanages.
The group also welcomed the newly arrived spouses of the Ambassadors of Bangladesh and New Zealand and
gave farewell luncheon for the spouse of the Ambassador of Thailand. There was also a mini-fashion show
which featured the creation of Russian designers.
Mrs. Garcia is the spouse of the Philippine Ambassador to Russia Victor G. Garcia III. END
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Secretary Teodoro Pays Tribute to War Heroes
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Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. pays tribute to fallen American soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia during a wreath-laying ceremony on September 9.
He is joined by the National Commander of the American Legion Clarence Hill USN (Ret).
Secretary Teodoro honors the memory of Filipino World War II veterans at a wreath-laying ceremony held at the
grounds of the Embassy of the Philippines on September 10. Secretary Teodoro is joined by Philippine
Ambassador to the United States Willy C. Gaa, surviving Filipino veterans, and members of the Filipino
community in the Greater Metro DC area. Speaking after the ceremony, Secretary Teodoro underscored the
“great sacrifices” of Filipino World War II veterans.
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71 More Filipinos to Arrive in Manila from Jeddah
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The Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that another
group of Filipinos who earlier stayed under the Khandara bridge in Jeddah will be repatriated by the Saudi
Arabia government tomorrow, September 16.
This third batch, consisting of 62 female, six male, and three children, will arrive at the Ninoy Aquino
International Airport at 11 p.m.
The Philippine Government extends its gratitude to the Saudi government for the immediate processing of the
exit papers of the 71 Filipinos. END
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Filipino-American Recipient of “Medal of Valor”
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he Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles reported that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
awarded the distinguished Medal of Valor to Deputy Jose M. Nanquil, for displaying great bravery in the face of
immediate life-threatening danger, with complete disregard for his own personal safety.
The awarding ceremony was held at the “Annual Medal of Valor and Meritorious Conduct Awards Ceremony and
Luncheon” on September 9 at the Quiet Cannon Restaurant, Montebello, California.
During the ceremony, several other members of the Sheriff’s Department were awarded the Medal of Valor and
Meritorious Conduct Medal.
Deputy Nanquil, a native of Pampanga, joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1989 after graduating from the
Academy. He is currently assigned at the Industry Station since 2001. Deputy Nanquil was previously assigned
at the Pitchess Honor Rancho-East Facility, North County Correctional Facility, Sybil Brand Institute and Asian
Crime Task Force. END
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22 Filipinos on Board MV Irene Released by Somali Pirates
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The local manning agency of Greek-owned hijacked vessel MV Irene confirmed to the Department of Foreign
Affairs (DFA) today the release of the ship and its crew by Somali pirates.
MV Irene was seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden on 14 April 2009. It has 22 Filipino seafarers on board.
The local manning agency, Bright Maritime Corp., told the DFA that negotiations for the release of the vessel and
its crew had been successful and that it is now working on the repatriation of the Filipino seafarers.
With this development, the total number of Filipino seafarers in the custody of Somali pirates has gone down to
20, involving two vessels. END
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Secretary Teodoro Emphasizes National Security in Building a Stronger, more Peaceful
Philippines
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Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. emphasizes the importance of national security in
building a stronger, more peaceful and more progressive Philippines at a Pulong Bayan with members of the
Filipino community in the Greater Metro DC area.
Held at the Carlos P. Romulo Hall of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, the Pulong Bayan was
arranged by the Embassy with the Filipino community in the continuing effort to keep key stakeholders informed
of developments in the Philippines. END
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Defense Secretary Teodoro Secures Continued U.S. Support for Counter Terrorism
Efforts and Reforms in the AFP
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Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro was assured by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates of the
continued commitment of the U.S. government to support efforts by the Department of National Defense (DND)
and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to crush terrorists undermining the peace and stability of the country
and in undertaking capacity-building efforts for the Philippine Defense Reform Program.
In a meeting at the Pentagon on September 9, the two officials were pleased with the progress of the security
cooperation between Philippine and U.S. military forces which has enhanced and further strengthened the
Philippine-U.S. strategic partnership and alliance.
A main area of discussion was U.S. government support for the improvement of the capabilities of the Philippine
defense establishment, particularly for the AFP. Secretary Teodoro pointed out the need to focus efforts on force
build up for internal security operations. Moreover, he added that there is a need to enhance the Navy’s Coast
Watch South (CWS), in partnership with the US and other countries, in order to deny the use of the Sulu and
Celebes Seas by non-traditional maritime threats for illegal activities.
Secretary Gates lauded Secretary Teodoro for his efforts to institutionalize reforms in the DND and the AFP
through the Philippine Defense Reform Program. In turn, Secretary Teodoro assured the U.S. Defense Secretary
that reforms will take root in the organization and thanked him for Washington’s financial assistance and
technical support for the PDR.
Secretary Teodoro underscored the significance of U.S. assistance to the Philippines, particularly in relation to
the Philippine Government’s infrastructure projects, such as construction of school facilities, water system, farm
to market roads, among others, in areas prone to conflict in the Southern Philippines. Secretary Teodoro noted
that these projects have greatly improved the quality of lives of the people in Mindanao
Both Defense Secretaries also agreed to explore mutual strategic security interests, particularly in areas
considered as non-traditional security threats such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response
(HADR), Climate Change, Drug Trafficking, and Maritime Security.
Secretary Teodoro was praised by Secretary Gates for the Philippines’ successful hosting of the first ASEAN
Regional Forum on Voluntary Disaster Response (ARF-VDR) last May, which was a Humanitarian Assistance
exercise held in Clark Airbase and Manila, and participated in by 26 countries.
Secretary Gates underscored the need to sustain the conduct of such activity as a means of improving
multilateral coordination and interoperability, most particularly in addressing HADR situations. Concurring with
Secretary Gates, Secretary Teodoro said the DND/AFP will host next year a multilateral exercise for HADR known
as “SAGIP.” END
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