Germany to help train Pinoy troops—Marcos

President, Chancellor stress peace, development in meet

BERLIN—Germany will help the Philippines train its troops amid its challenges in the West Philippine Sea, President Marcos said Tuesday, as he and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz underscored the importance of advancing peace and development in the Philippines.

“As like-minded partners, promoting the rules-based international order, we extend our commitment beyond our own regions to contributeto the broader global community,” Mr. Marcos said as he was welcomed by Scholz at the Chancellory here.

The President noted that Germany has been providing training for the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines since 1974, making it the second oldest formal defense partner of the Philippines after the United States.

Mr. Marcos also thanked Germany for its continuous support to the capacity-building of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), which is bearing the brunt of skirmishes with the Chinese maritime militia in the WPS.

A Joint Declaration of Intent on Strengthening Maritime Cooperation is expected to be signed between the Philippines and Germany during President Marcos’ visit to Berlin.

“Climate change cooperation is also a significant facet of the partnership between the Philippines and Germany. We also recognized the important contribution of Filipino healthcare workers and the other Overseas Filipino Workers to the culture and economy of Germany,” he added.

President Marcos reiterated that the Philippines remains committed to addressing issues through dialogue and consultations.

“The Philippines, like any sovereign state, will continue to firmly defend its sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction, in accordance with international law,” the Chief Executive said.

The President arrived in Berlin at 9:49 pm local time (4:49 am Manila Time), and after meeting Scholz, was set to attend the German-Philippine Business Forum and an event with the Filipino community in Germany later Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez acknowledged the “strategic significance” of the President’s visit to Germany and the Czech Republic in advancing the national interest amid growing tension in the disputed West Philippine Sea.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Germany would provide Filipino seafarers the highest protection following the Houthi attack in the Gulf of Aden last week.

In his scheduled meeting with the leaders of the two countries, Mr. Marcos is expected, among others, to emphasize the Philippines’ “unwavering commitment to strengthening partnerships with like-minded countries in promoting rules-based international order.”

The Chief Executive is also expected to seek stronger bilateral relations with the two countries and expand economic cooperation for more mutually beneficial trade and investment opportunities.

“These visits would serve to bolster bilateral relations, enhance economic cooperation, and reinforce the Philippines’ standing in the international community. Amidst complex geopolitical challenges, fostering strong alliances with nations sharing similar values is imperative for safeguarding our sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Romualdez said.

“In the face of increasing assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), adherence to international law is crucial for maintaining peace and stability in the region,” said Romualdez, who is part of the President’s official delegation for the five-day European sojourn.

On March 5, Chinese bullying tactics at the WPS left at least four Filipinos slightly injured after two China Coast Guard vessels usedwater cannons on a smaller Philippine seacraft, an Unaizah Mae 4, commissioned by the Philippine military for a resupply mission to the Ayungin Shoal.

Prior to this incident, a China Coast Guard vessel collided with the BRP Sindangan, causing “superficial structural damage, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

Romualdez said his colleagues in Congress fully support the diplomatic initiatives of President Marcos to promote the national interest on the global stage.

“We, at the House of Representatives, stand solidly behind President Marcos in his pursuit of diplomatic solutions to the West Philippine Sea dispute anchored on the respect for international law and the principles of maritime freedom,” Romualdez stressed.

The Czech Republic and Germany were among 16 European nations that issued a joint statement in July 2023 supporting the Philippines’ fight for sovereignty over the WPS in time with the commemoration of the 2016 Arbitral Ruling issued by The Hague that invalidated China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea (SCS).

During her visit to the Philippines in January last year, Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock criticized the Chinese Coast Guard’s activities in the SCS, including its use of lasers and water cannons.

Baerbock said Beijing’s aggressive actions were causing concerns in Europe.

The WPS was also among the issues that President Marcos discussed with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala when the latter visited Manila on April 17, 2023 to launch his 10-day trip around Asia.

“Philippines is the starting point of my 10-day Asian tour. It shows that your country and your region are very important for the Czech Republic,” Fiala said after his one-on-one talk with Mr. Marcos.

In October of the same year, the Czech Republic offered to the Philippines its vessels suitable for use in securing the country’s territorial waters.

President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos landed at the Berlin Brandenburg International Airport at 9:49 pm local time (4:49 am, Tuesday PH time) on board Philippine Airlines flight PR001.

The First Couple received a warm welcome from Philippine Ambassador to Germany Irene Susan Natividad and some personnel from the Philippine Embassy in Berlin.

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