Ambassador Domingo Presents His Credentials to the Head of State of the Kingdom of Tonga

Ambassador Jesus S. Domingo with a portrait of His Majesty King Tupou VI, the Head of State of the Kingdom of Tonga June 19, 2017, Nuku’alofa, Kingdom of Tonga.

27 July 2017 KINGDOM OF TONGA — Philippine Ambassador Jesus S. Domingo presented his Letter of Credence and the Letter of Recall of his predecessor to His Majesty King Tupou VI, the Head of State of the Kingdom of Tonga on June 19 at the Throne Room of the Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa, Kingdom of Tonga.

Ambassador Domingo conveyed the greetings of President Rodrigo Duterte to His Majesty King Tupou VI and the best wishes of the Government and People of the Republic of the Philippines to the Government and People of the Kingdom of Tonga. He highlighted the Philippines’ dynamic and growing relationship with Tonga, how he would like to advance the people-to-people relationship between the two nations, and push the boundaries of its inter-regional and bilateral relationship. He reiterated his commitment to work more closely with the Tongan Government, Institutions and Citizens to realize the enhancement of Philippines-Tonga relations..

In response, His Majesty welcomed Ambassador Domingo to Tonga and received his Letter of Credence from President Duterte accrediting him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the Kingdom of Tonga. His Majesty also conveyed his greetings to President Duterte, and the Government and People of the Philippines.

During his visit in Tonga, Ambassador Domingo also called on Tongan authorities and discussed a range of issues including climate change, disaster risk management and resilience, aquaculture and sustainable farming. Possible engagements and cooperation in the health sector with respect to the SDGs, information-sharing on civilian-military operations in disaster management, participation in the regional structure of the Pacific Islands Forum, Pacific Islands Development Forum, Red Cross and the United Nations, the prospects of Philippine studies in the Pacific and of Pacific studies in the Philippines, the Filipino community in Tonga as partners through membership in the Civil Society Organizations/Civil Society Forum of Tonga, Universal Diplomacy/Diplomatic League initiatives, among others, were also discussed.

The Tongan Government assured Ambassador Domingo of its openness and support to the well-loved Filipino community in Tonga.

For more information, visit wellingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philembassy.org.nz or https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineEmbassyWellingtonNewZealand. END