PH vows to raise aviation security capabilities in ARF workshop co-chaired with US, AU 

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Philippines Director General and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Junever M. Mahilium-West (left) speaks on the timeliness of the workshop on aviation security as states start to reopen from lockdowns caused by the pandemic. DOTr Undersecretary Raul L. Del Rosario (right) expresses the Philippine’s commitment to elevate its aviation security environment. (Photo by DFA-ASEAN)

PASAY CITY 25 February 2021 – The Philippines co-chaired, with the United States and Australia, the Second ARF Workshop on Aviation Security and Information Sharing on 22-24 February 2021, where it vowed to raise its aviation security capabilities.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary Raul L. Del Rosario, Administrator of the Office for Transportation Security, expressed the Philippines’ commitment to elevate its aviation security environment to a globally competitive level, especially as more airports have been constructed and are being constructed through the government’s Build, Build, Build program. 

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Philippines Director General and Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Junever M. Mahilum-West, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of the workshop on aviation security as states start to reopen from the lockdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Counter-terrorism and the fight against transnational crime have remained priorities in ASEAN’s community-building efforts, despite pre-occupation with the COVID/19 pandemic for over a year now” the Assistant Secretary said. END