Secretary Locsin Meets U.S. National Security Advisor O'Brien for Handover of $18M Defense Materials

U.S. National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., National Defense Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna and other Defense and Military officials during the ceremony. (Photo by DFA-OSCR Philip Adrian Fernandez)

23 November 2020 - Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr., together with National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, and National Defense Assistant Secretary Teodoro Cirilo T. Torralba III, met with U.S. National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The senior officials renewed their respective Governments’ commitment to the Philippine - United States alliance, which is founded on shared history, values, and friendship. They discussed ways to strengthen the already robust defense and security cooperation between the two countries, given the political and security climate in the Asia Pacific region.

National Security Advisor O’Brien also gave assurances that the U.S. Government will give high priority to the Philippines in accessing a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is made available by U.S. pharmaceutical companies.

Prior to the meeting, National Security Advisor O’Brien symbolically turned over to Secretary Locsin defense articles, which include Precision Guided Munitions (PGMs), valued at approximately US$18 Million. The delivery of the defense articles is in fulfilment of President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during a phone call in April 2020 in support of the Philippines’ counterterrorism efforts.

Among other witnesses during the turnover ceremony were Undersecretary for National Defense Cardozo M. Luna; National Defense Assistant Secretary Jesus Rey R. Avila; National Defense Assistant Secretary Teodoro Cirilo T. Torralba III; RADM Eric Kagaoan PN; MGEN Pelagio Valenzuela PAF; Vice Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force; MGEN Gilbert F. Saret PA; Inspector General of the Philippine Army; RADM Alberto Carlos PN, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, J4, AFP; COL. Edmundo G. Peralta INF (MNSA) PA, Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, G2, PA; U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires John C. Law; US Export-Import Bank President Kim Reed; and U.S. National Security Council Director Allison Hooker. END

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. welcomes U.S. National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien (Photo by DFA-OSCR Philip Adrian Fernandez)

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. hosts luncheon for U.S. National Security Advisor Robert C. O’Brien following the ceremonial turn over (Photo by DFA-OSCR Philip Adrian Fernandez)

During the symbolic turn over of the defense articles from the US government (Photo by DFA-OSCR Philip Adrian Fernandez)

During the symbolic turn over of the defense articles from the US government (Photo by DFA-OSCR Philip Adrian Fernandez)