VISIT OF PH DEFENSE SECRETARY UNDERSCORES INCREASING DEFENCE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND POLAND
12 November 2021 - Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin N. Lorenzana visited Poland on 6-13 November 2021 upon the invitation of Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak.
During the bilateral meeting held at the Ministry of National Defence between Secretary Lorenzana and Deputy Minister-Secretary of State Marcin Ociepa, both sides expressed satisfaction at the deepening of Philippines-Poland relations, including in the critical area of defence cooperation, particularly on logistical requirements of the armed forces, armament and military equipment, defense industry and technology.
Secretary Lorenzana noted that the acquisition of 16 Black Hawk S-70i helicopters by the Philippines has been successfully completed at the end of October 2021 and he expressed the hope that this mutually beneficial cooperation would continue.
After the bilateral meeting, Secretary Lorenzana proceeded to Marshal Józef Piłsudski Square for the traditional wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Secretary Lorenzana capped his official visit with an invitation extended to him by His Excellency President Andrzej Duda to witness the National Independence Day Celebration at the Piłsudski Square on November 11, after which he also had a brief meeting with his host, Minister Błaszczak.
Secretary Lorenzana’s visit to Poland is the first by a Philippine Secretary of Defence and follows the first visit to the Philippines by Poland’s Minister of National Defence Radosław Sikorski back in 2006. END
Secretary Lorenzana inspects The Honour Guard with Deputy Minister-Secretary of State Marcin Ociepa during the Official Welcome Ceremony at the Ministry of National Defence.
Secretary Lorenzana heads the Philippine delegation during the Bilateral Meeting held at the Ministry of National Defence. Deputy Minister-Secretary of State Marcin Ociepa leads the Polish delegation.
Secretary Lorenzana and Deputy Minister-Secretary of State Marcin Ociepa exchange gifts after the Bilateral Meeting at the Ministry of National Defence.
(L-R): Col. Justino T. Ramolete, Commo. Ruben B. Fajardo Jr., Col. Bogdan Pidanty, Ambassador Leah M. Basinang-Ruiz, Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Deputy Minister-Secretary of State Marcin Ociepa, Mr. Piotr Pacholski, Mr. Sebastian Chwałek, Mr. Sławomir Cichocki, Col. Zbigniew Kołaczek, Assistant Secretary Antonio L. Bautista, Lt. Gen. Allen Trio Paredes
Secretary Lorenzana lays a wreath decked in Philippine colors at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Piłsudski Square.
Secretary Lorenzana, flanked by Polish officials, pays tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Secretary Lorenzana meets with Polish Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak during Poland’s Independence Day Celebration at Piłsudski Square on 11 November 2021.
