First PH Defense Attaché to Turkey Arrives in Ankara

The team of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara headed by Ambassador Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez (seventh from left) welcomes Col. Benedict D. Balaba, GSC PA (eighth from left), the first Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché based in Turkey. (Ankara PE photo)

ANKARA 29 October 2018 — The Philippine Embassy in Ankara welcomed Defense Attache Colonel Benedict D. Balaba and his Administrative Assistant TSg Teodulfo R. Alferez as they officially assumed their duties on 15 October 2018 as part of Team Philippines in Turkey. 

Col. Balaba is the first Philippine Defense Attaché based in Turkey since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1949. 

The opening of the Office of the Defense and Armed Forces Attaché (ODAFA) will play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s defense, security, and military cooperation with Turkey, especially that the two countries will mark 70 years of diplomatic relations next year. END

For more information, visit www.ankarape.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTurkey.

Ambassador Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez with a memento from Colonel Benedict Balaba to mark the historic first day as he officially assumed his duties as the Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to Turkey on 15 October 2018. Colonel Benedict Balaba thanks Embassy officials and staff for the warm welcome as the newest addition to Team Philippines in Turkey. (Ankara PE photo)