Secretary Locsin Welcomes Spanish Navy Frigate to Manila

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. (fifth from left) attended a luncheon on board the Spanish Navy Frigate “Méndez Núñez” during its port call in Manila Harbor on 05 September 2019, upon the invitation of Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines Jorge Moragas Sánchez (sixth from left) and Commander Antonio González del Tánago de la Lastra (seventh from left), Commanding Officer of the “Méndez Núñez”.

Prior to the luncheon, a special ceremony was held to receive Secretary Locsin on board the ship.

“The ship’s visit symbolizes the historic friendship between the Philippines and Spain,” Secretary Locsin said. “Today reminds us that Spanish ships brought us the faith that led to the creation—and defines the enduring character of the Filipino nation. Were it not for Spain’s coming…there would be no Islas Filipinas- named after history’s greatest and first modern monarch.”

The “Méndez Núñez” will make its way to Baler, Aurora, following its port call in Manila.

The ship’s crew is expected to hold a ceremony at the Baler Church to commemorate the act of benevolence of President Emilio Aguinaldo who issued a decree on 30 June.

1899 providing that the 35 Spanish soldiers who survived the Siege of Baler and took refuge in the Baler Church be treated as friends, not as prisoners.

Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day, which is celebrated every June 30, “allows us to always remember and honor this Amistad Duradera, meaning Lasting Friendship” Secretary Locsin said. (Photo by Mark Lim).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. (third from right) and Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana (second from left) are toured by Commander Antonio González del Tánago de la Lastra (middle) around the Spanish Navy Frigate “Méndez Núñez” which dropped anchor in Manila South Harbor on 5 September 2019.

The Spanish frigate has been tracing backwards the route taken by the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastian Elcano, which began in 1519 and completed its circumnavigation of the world in 1522.  After Manila, the frigate will sail to Baler, Aurora as part of its route.  (Photo by Mark Lim).