President Duterte Confers Order of Sikatuna on Outgoing Turkish Ambassador to PH
MANILA 18 December 2018 – In recognition of her services as Turkey’s top envoy to the Philippines and in forwarding bilateral relations, President Rodrigo Duterte conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction on outgoing Ambassador of Turkey to the Philippines Esra Cankorur during her farewell call at Malacañan Palace on 12 December 2018.
Ambassador Cankorur was recognized for her outstanding and dedicated diplomatic service, and for her key role in establishing milestones in the history of Philippines–Turkey relations. Her work is manifested in all facets of bilateral relations, covering cooperation in trade and investment, agriculture, tourism, culture, education, and air services, among other mutually beneficial areas.
The Order of Sikatuna is the highest honor a Philippine President can bestow upon a foreign national.
In terms of defense cooperation, Ambassador Cankorur was instrumental in the establishment of Turkey’s first resident Military, Naval, and Air Attaché of Turkey in the Philippines and, in partnership with the Philippine Embassy in Ankara, the deployment of the Philippines’ first Defense and Armed Forces Attaché in Turkey. Their presence will be particularly valuable further strengthening defense cooperation between Manila and Ankara.
President Duterte conveyed to Ambassador Cankorur the Philippines’ gratitude for Turkey’s development assistance and continued support to the Mindanao Peace Process, notably as Chair of the Independent Decommissioning Body under the Philippines–Moro Islamic Liberation Front cooperation framework.
Noting both countries celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, President Duterte further took the opportunity to reiterate the Philippines’ commitment to deepen its partnership with Turkey.
Ambassador Cankorur thanked President Duterte for his message of friendship, which she said she will convey to the Turkish Government in Ankara.
She also paid a farewell call on Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. on 04 December 2018, who likewise congratulated the Ambassador for her many achievements during her almost five-year tour of duty.
Ambassador Cankorur has spent most of her diplomatic career in the Philippines, first as Third Secretary in the 1990s, and then coming full circle as her country’s top envoy in Manila. END
