10 November 2016 – Speaking during the 2nd Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) / Political Consultations between the Philippines and Colombia on November 09, DFA Undersecretary for Policy and Head of Philippine Delegation Enrique A. Manalo underscored the Philippines’ commitment to deepen relations with Colombia and outlined opportunities for bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of defense, the peace process, trade and investment, education, culture, sports, climate change, and other mutually-beneficial areas. He also congratulated Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos for his recent receipt of the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize and assured Colombia of the Philippines’ strong and continuing support for the Colombian Peace Agreement with the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia or FARC.
Colombian Deputy Foreign Minister of International Relations and Head of the Colombian Delegation, Ms. Patti Londoño, thanked the Philippines for its assistance in ongoing procedures for the opening of the Colombian Embassy in Manila. She reiterated her belief that the opening of the Colombian Mission in the Philippines will significantly enhance the 70 decades-long friendship between the two countries.
The two senior officials discussed deepening collaboration in the fields of security and peacebuilding. Colombia offered to share best practices on counter-terrorism, and in combating kidnapping and drug syndicates with Philippine authorities.
The two sides assured each other of continuing support in the multilateral fora, specifically in candidatures in the UN, projects under the ambit of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), and initiatives in the APEC-Pacific Alliance and ASEAN-Pacific Alliance dialogues-wherein both the Philippines and Colombia are dynamic players.
Undersecretary Manalo was joined by Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Maria Andrelita S. Austria; OAA Executive Director Marshall Louis M. Alferez; Mr. Noel L. Rodriguez, Principal Assistant-Office of the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations; Ms. Kristel Claudine D. Aslanbaigi from the Department of National Defense; and Atty. Carlo E. Abarquez, Executive Director, Philippine Sport Commission. Completing the Colombian Delegation were Ambassador Tito Saul Pinilla (Colombian Embassy in Seoul, South Korea accredited to the Philippines); Mr. Alfredo Ramos, Director of Asia; Ms. Maria Andrea Albán, Director of International Cooperation; Mr. Luis Armando Soto, Director of Cultural Affairs; Mr. German Calderon, Director of Economics, Social and Environmental Issues; Mr. Oscar Gasca, Coordinator of Asia Pacific; and Mr. David Diaz, Desk Officer handling Philippines.
The 2nd BCM was held via videoconference between Manila and Bogota at the IPOPHL Building at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, respectively.
This is the 2nd BCM between the Philippines and Colombia since the MOU Establishing the BCM was signed on January 29, 2009. The 1st BCM was held in Bogota in October 2012. END
