Five New Ambassadors to the Philippines Present Credentials to President Marcos, Pay Tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal

Resident Ambassador-Designate from Bangladesh and DFA Assistant Secretary and Chief of Protocol Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda pose for a photo at Malacañang Palace. 

MANILA 05 June 2025 — Five (5) new ambassadors–one resident and four non-resident ambassadors–presented their credentials to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at a ceremony on 15 May 2025. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Reichel P. Quiñones joined the President in receiving the envoys.

The ambassadors who presented their letters of credence were: 

• H.E. Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, resident Ambassador of People's Republic of Bangladesh;
• H.E. Peter Adelbai, non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Palau;
• H.E. Suren Baghdasaryan, non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia; 
• H.E. Yadira Ledesma Hernández, non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba; and 
• H.E. Dashnyam Enkhtaivan, non-resident Ambassador of Mongolia. 

The event formally marks the beginning of their diplomatic functions as the official representatives of their countries. 

In the same afternoon, they paid tribute to Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal and expressed their profound respect for the history and culture of the Filipino people by leading wreath-laying ceremonies in the same afternoon at the Rizal National Monument in Luneta Park. 

They were joined by Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Gilbert L. Segarra, who acted as the Civilian Host, and Capt. Jonathan A. Salvilla and Col. Isidro S. Mamaril of the Philippine Navy, who served as Military Host for the resident and non-resident ambassadors, respectively.

The Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Protocol, led by Assistant Secretary and Chief of Protocol Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda, organized the event in coordination with the Office of Presidential Protocol. END

Non-Resident Ambassadors-Designate from Armenia, Cuba, Mongolia, and Palau pose for a photo with DFA Assistant Secretary and Chief of Protocol Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda at Malacañang Palace

From left to right dais: Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Gilbert L. Segarra, H.E. Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood (Bangladesh), and Capt. Jonathan A. Salvilla PN (Photo Courtesy of Philippine Navy)

From left to right: Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Gilbert L. Segarra, H.E. Yadira Ledesma Hernández (Cuba), H.E. Peter Adelbai (Palau), Suren Baghdasaryan (Armenia), H.E. Dashnyam Enkhtaivan (Mongolia) and Col. Isidro S. Mamaril PN (M) during the wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal National Monument in Luneta Park. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)