On behalf of the Philippine Embassy in Wellington and the Office of Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché based in Canberra, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez congratulated Lt General Hernando DCA Iriberri who assumed his post as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on 10 July 2015. He was the former Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA) who visited New Zealand on 23-29 May 2015 upon the invitation of Major General Dave Dawn, Chief of Army of the New Zealand Defence Force (CANZDF). The first ever visit of a Philippine Commanding General of the Army to New Zealand provided the impetus towards closer defence relations between the Philippines and New Zealand both at the personal and official levels.

The article below features the visit of General Iriberri to New Zealand in May in his capacity then as the Commanding General of the Philippine Army.

VISIT OF COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE PHILIPPINE ARMY TO NEW ZEALAND BOOSTS DEFENCE TIES

Upon the invitation of Major General Dave Dawn, Chief of Army of the New Zealand Defence Force (CANZDF), the Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA) Lieutenant General Hernando DCA Iriberri visited New Zealand on 23-29 May 2015. He was accompanied by his wife Agnes, Col. Ricardo Santiago, Defense Attaché in Australia and New Zealand, and his coordinating staff concerned with Planning, Training and Intelligence. A comprehensive programme prepared by the Office of CANZDF for the Philippine Army delegation proved very vital, particularly on matters pertaining to various opportunities for closer army to army exchange, training especially for mid-level Filipino military officers in New Zealand, humanitarian assistance and disaster response/relief programme, and sharing of information on significant developments and issues that impact the Asia-Pacific region as well initiatives to pursue widening cooperation on defence and security.

Philippine Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez hosted a welcome dinner in honour of General and Mrs. Iriberri and the members of his delegation at “Ang Bahay” (Philippine Ambassador’s residence) on 24 May 2015 and invited General Dave Gawn and his wife Anna, Col. Brett Wellington, Director, Strategic Engagements and Col. Chris Faulls, Escort Officer, NZDF. She thanked General Gawn for making it possible for General Iriberri and his delegates to make the first ever visit of a Philippine Commanding General of the Army to New Zealand which is a significant step in strengthening personal and official ties among key military officials of both countries. The dinner fellowship and interaction among the guests highlighted the robust defence relations between the Philippines and New Zealand with the signing of Memorandum of Agreement on Defence Cooperation in 2012 and in the context of the Mutual Assistance Programme, Bilateral Defense Talks, ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus and support for New Zealand’s initiatives in its co-chairmanship of the Experts Working Group on Maritime Security. General Iriberri was warmly received by and had a productive meeting with General Gawn.

General and Mrs. Iriberri and the members of his delegation and General Gawn and his officers thanked Ambassador Benavidez and the Philippine Embassy for the warm reception and gracious hospitality extended to them. It was an evening to remember where guests enjoyed the Filipiniana ambience and cuisine of “Ang Bahay” and where the friendship, goodwill, solidarity and partnership between Filipinos and New Zealanders in the defence and military arenas took center stage.

The Philippine Embassy’s Minister and Consul-General Arlene Gonzales-Macaisa and Third Secretary and Vice-Consul Glenn Joseph Obach and a member of the Filipino community, Ms. Meia Lopez also attended this special occasion.