MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) on Saturday expressed its condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr. Aileen Baviera, a leading Chinese studies expert and a former dean of the University of the Philippines Asian Center, who passed away due to severe pneumonia caused by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
"The PN mourns the passing of Dr. Aileen S.P. Baviera earlier today, 21 March 2020. We pray for peace, comfort and love to surround her family and loved ones during this difficult time," the Navy said in a statement forwarded by its public affairs office chief Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas late Saturday.
In a bulletin, UP Diliman said Baviera died at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila around 3:55 a.m. Saturday.
Baviera is one of the members of the PN Board of Advisers (BoA) and “has been serving alongside the Navy since 2009.”
“She heads the Maritime Coalition Committee of the said board, always lending her expertise on matters relating to strategic studies, maritime law and international affairs,” the PN said.
"As a BoA member, her brilliant mind coupled with her strong sense of patriotism has helped in building a strong and credible Navy that our maritime nation could be proud of. Until the very end, her commitment to serve our beloved country remained unfaltering," it added.
The PN also recognized Baviera as one of the country’s foremost sinologists.
"Her passing is a great loss to our maritime nation, but her legacy will live on," it added.
Baviera was an expert on contemporary China studies, Asia-Pacific security, territorial and maritime disputes, as well as regional integration.
Among her published works are the books Regional Security in East Asia: Challenges to Cooperation and Community Building, and the Comprehensive Engagement: Strategic Issues in Philippine-China Relations. (PNA)
