L39NG marketed to the Philippines (photo: Aero)
(Quezon City) – Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. met H.E. Karel Hejč, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Philippines, during the Ambassador's courtesy call at the Department of National Defense. The two officials looked forward to closer engagements between the Philippines and the Czech Republic and cooperation on emerging technologies where synergies may converge.
Secretary Teodoro thanked the Czech Republic for its support amidst external aggression and emphasized the need to speed up the Philippines' resilience measures and sustainability in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)'s modernization. Stressing the Czech government's commitment to supporting the Philippines in defending international law, Ambassador Hejč emphasized the strength of the Czech Republic's defense industries and highlighted the Czech Republic's offer of trainer jets; transport aircraft; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) equipment; radars; and the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of defense equipment.
Both officials expressed anticipation for the 2nd Philippines-Czech Republic Joint Defense Committee (JDC) Meeting in 2024. The JDC Meeting is expected to reaffirm the bilateral defense relations between the two countries and advance practical defense cooperation.
Other matters discussed during the call include recent incidents in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the upcoming 5th Asian Defense and Security, Crisis & Disaster Management Exhibition and Conference (ADAS) in September 2024 in Manila, and exploratory talks between the Philippine Government and the National Democratic Front (NDF) on ending the local communist armed conflict.
(DND)