INVALUABLE SUPPORT. Department of National Defense (DND) chief Carlito Galvez Jr. (right) welcomes newly appointed Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino bin Anthony, at the DND headquarters on Tuesday (April 25, 2023). During the diplomat's visit, Galvez expressed the Philippine government's appreciation to Malaysia for providing valuable information on the situation in Sudan that enabled the Philippines to repatriate its citizens from the war-torn nation. (Photo courtesy of DND)
MANILA – Department of National Defense (DND) chief Carlito Galvez Jr. has hailed the Malaysian government for its valuable support that enabled the Philippines to repatriate Filipinos working in Sudan.
In a statement Thursday, DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Galvez personally expressed his gratitude when newly appointed Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino bin Anthony, visited the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on April 25.
"Highlighting the longstanding defense relations of the two countries, OIC (officer in charge) DND (Galvez) further expressed his deep appreciation to Malaysia for sharing valuable information on the security situation in Sudan, which contributed to the Philippine government's repatriation of Filipinos in Sudan,” Andolong said. “Both sides committed to work closely in monitoring the developments in Sudan for the safety and wellbeing of affected citizens."
Andolong said Galvez also thanked Malaysia for its contribution to the Mindanao peace process.
"In response to OIC, DND's request for Malaysia's continued assistance to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (in) Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Ambassador Castelino assured Malaysia's commitment in working towards a just and lasting peace and prosperity in the southern Philippines," he said.
According to the DND, Galvez also lauded the close diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Malaysia, as signified in the recent state visit of Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to the Philippines in March.
Malaysia is considered one of the closest defense partners of the Philippines in the region, and both countries work together with Indonesia in a trilateral security cooperation to address common security challenges in the area of maritime interest.
"Furthermore, as fellow founding members of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), the Philippines and Malaysia pursue practical cooperation under the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus, as well as other multilateral fora based on common security interests and in support of ASEAN Centrality," Andolong said. (PNA)
