Page 32 - SEPTEMBER 2017 A ISSUE

32 www.hello-philippines.com
BOOK ON PHILIPPINE DEFENSE
LAW AND POLICY LAUNCHED
MANILA – The book “Forging
Partnerships: Philippine Defense
Cooperation under Constitutional
and International Law” was launched
during a Mabini Dialogue at the Foreign
Service Institute (FSI) in Pasay City.
Published jointly by the FSI and
the University of the Philippines Law
Center, the book is authored by J.
Eduardo Malaya and Maria Antonina
Mendoza-Oblena, both lawyer-foreign
service officers.
In his remarks during the book
launch, Malaya, currently the
DFA Assistant Secretary for Legal
Affairs, said “Given the heightened
challenges to our country’s security as
exemplified by the ongoing conflict in
Marawi, there is need to give wider
berth to the enhancement of our
armed forces’ capabilities. Alongside
the AFP’s modernization programs
and institutional reforms should be
measures to enable our armed forces
to deepen traditional alliances and to
forge meaningful partnerships with
other friends.”
Present during the August 23 book
launch were FSI Director General Claro
Cristobal, Undersecretary of National
Defense Ricardo David, National
Security Council Director General
Manuel Bautista and Presidential
Commission on Visiting Forces Pedro
Ramboanga, among others.
In his foreword to the 129-page
book, Attorney Pio Lorenzo Batino,
Undersecretary of National Defense
for Policy (2010-2016) stated, “By
their cogent presentation of the key
principles and concepts on the subject
from the perspective of both Philippine
Manila to Pyongyang: Call Off Ballistic Missile Test Plans, Avoid Further Raising Tensions
SEOUL – Foreign Affairs Secretary
Alan Peter S. Cayetano today urged the
People’s Democratic Republic of Korea
to call off its announced plans to conduct Peninsula but also in the rest of the Asia- ballistic middle over Japan would be
more ballistic missile test launches to
avoid further raising tensions in the
region.
“The Philippines urges the DPRK
to heed the calls of the international
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AROUND THE WORLD
domestic law and international law,
the authors have come up with a
pioneering study that sheds added light
on the field of international defense
and security cooperation… These are
particularly critical at the present time
when the modernization of the Armed
Forces of the Philippines is underway
and as we explore options in further
enhancing our country’s national
defense capabilities and preparedness.”
Forging Partnerships examines
the issues of national defense
and collective security and their
foundations in the Philippine
Constitution, laws and jurisprudence,
and in international law. The study
commences with a discussion on the
constitutional provisions relating to
national defense and security and
the conduct of defense cooperation
and engagements with other countries.
National defense preparedness is
then examined in the context of a
country’s inherent right to individual
and collective self-defense under
international law. The mechanisms
community to avoid taking provocative
actions that contribute to nothing but
heightened tensions not just in the Korean
Pacific Region,” Secretary Cayetano said
after delivering his keynote speech at the
International Conference on ASEAN-Korea
Partnership in Seoul.
The Secretary, who is this year’s
often pursued by partner countries
in setting up comprehensive security
arrangements are also taken up, notably
status of forces agreements (SOFAs)
and access agreements. References are
made to the country’s experiences with
its SOFAs with the United States and
Australia, and the Enhanced Defense
Cooperation Agreement with the U.S.
Malaya is a lawyer and foreign
service officer with the rank of Chief of
Mission, Class I. He recently served as
Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia. In
addition to this book, he is also author/
ASEAN chair, issued the statement
shortly after Pyongyang announced
that Tuesday’s launch of an intermediate
followed by more missile test launched
towards the Pacific.
“The Philippines and the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), however,
continue to be willing to play a constructive impact the security of nations beyond the
September 2017 – No. 17 • UK & Europe Edition
editor of four other books, including:
“So Help Me God: The Presidents of
the Philippines and their Inaugural
Addresses” (Anvil Publishing, 2005),
“Frontlines of Diplomacy: Conversations
with Philippine Ambassadors” (Anvil
Publishing, 2011), and “Philippine
Treaties Index: 1946-2010” (Foreign
Service Institute/Central Law Books,
2011). Ms. Oblena is a lawyer and
foreign service officer, with the rank of
Career Minister. She co-authored with
Mr. Malaya the book Philippine Treaties
Index: 1946-2010.
role in creating an environment that would
help achieve peace and stability in our part
of the world,” said Secretary Cayetano.
In his keynote speech, Secretary
Cayetano said ASEAN and Korea have a
shared stake in regional peace and stability
that calls for much closer consultations in
light of serious developments that could
Korean Peninsula.
“ASEAN had made known its position on
the DPRK issue on multiple occasions with
a clear bottom line and that is to support
an environment conducive to sustainable
development, social progress and improved
quality of life for all peoples in the region,” the Secretary said. “Our healthy economic
he told his audience that included South
Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-Wha
and ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh.
“We were partners yesterday. We
are partners today. We will continue to
be partners for tomorrow,” Secretary
Cayetano said.
The Mabini Dialogue Series is
a venue where specialists, experts
and practitioners could engage in
discussions with the DFA on national,
regional and global issues that have
political, economic and socio-cultural
impact on the Philippines.
Copies of Forging Partnership
are available at the University of the
Philippines Law Center Book Room,
with telephone no. 632-920-5514, loc.
226, and email address ipdbookroom.
uplc@gmail.com. n Philippine Embassy
Philippines | August 24, 2017
Themed “Partnering for Tomorrow,” the
conference was organized by the Korean
Government, the ASEAN-Korea Center,
the Korean Institute for Southeast Asian
Studies and Joongang Ilbo daily as part of
the commemoration of the organization’s
50th anniversary this year.
“Tried and tested, ASEAN-ROK
cooperation has encouraged confidence in
the power of our abiding friendship to build
a future of shared peace and prosperity,”
said Secretary Cayetano.
“Our political-security engagements,
based on mutual trust, continue to grow
bilaterally and through ASEAN-led fora,”
ties hold the promise of greater prosperity
for our peoples.”
“Our strong people to people
connections remain solid and, through
our joint efforts, will be enhanced further
in years to come,” he added. n Philippine
Embassy Philippines | August 30, 2017