17 June 2014 - Twenty participants of the Masters in National Security Administration (MNSA) Regular Course 49 of the National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) visited Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) from April 10 to 12 as part of their Regional Security and Development Studies (RSDS) requirement for the completion of their course.

The NDCP delegation, headed by Commander Rostum J. Bautista, MNSA, Chief of the NDCP Academic Affairs Division, was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to Lao PDR Maria Lumen B. Isleta on April 10 with a dinner at the official residence. This was preceded by an informal briefing by the Ambassador for the group on the status of the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Lao PDR, particularly their active areas of cooperation. Ambassador Isleta also discussed the prospects and challenges for expanded and deepened cooperation, especially in light of the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community 2015.

While in Vientiane, the NDCP delegation visited the Kaysone Phomvihane National Defence Academy (KPAND) where they were received by KPAND Political Commandant Col. Khamla Phanxayasouk who briefed the delegation on the political situation of the country.

The NDCP delegation also called on Lao PDR National Defence Vice Minister Chansamone Chanyalath at his office.

The NDCP delegation left Lao PDR on April 12 to continue their RSDS course in Brunei Darussalam.  END