19 May 2014 - The Philippines has the biggest group of graduates at the Advanced Security Cooperation Course held at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu attended the commencement program of the five-week course last May 15. The course was designed to enhance individual leadership capabilities in critical thinking, communication and decision- making in complex multi-national and culturally- diverse environments.

The Philippine group is composed of military and civilian representatives who are already mid-to-senior level security practitioners in their own right. They interacted extensively with their counterparts from across the Asia-Pacific region and North America, developing personal ties, in a non-war and friendly environment, which the APCSS envisions, would enhance security and stability in the region.

During the commecncement exercises, Philippine Consul Roberto T. Bernardo met Ship Safety Division Vice Director Li Bo of TianJin Maritime Safety Administration, China. The other participants are from Colombia, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Canada, India, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Thailand, Maldives, Tuvalu, United States, Cambodia, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Taiwan, Palau, Singapore, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Russia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Ms. Pauleen Guiab Gorospe, a Filipina participant from the Office of the President, had the honor of representing all the graduates from Class 14-2, and was given the chance to make comments on behalf of the graduates.

APCSS Director Lt. Gen. Dan Leaf, USAF (Ret.) encouraged the graduates to keep in touch with one another, and continue to exchange ideas. He said that the most beneficial result of the APCSS program is building relationships of trust and confidence among future leaders and decision-makers within the region. END