MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Tuesday, October 6, that defense cooperation between the Philippines and Poland continues to gain momentum, citing Manila’s acquisition of Polish-made S-70 Black Hawk combat utility helicopters.
Speaking alongside Polish President Karol Nawrocki during a joint press conference at Malacañang, Marcos described the helicopter acquisition as part of the Philippines’ ongoing efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“We welcomed in particular the steady progress in Philippines Poland defense cooperation, which includes our acquisition of S-70 Black Hawk combat utility helicopters from Poland as part of the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Marcos said.
The President also said Manila and Warsaw intend to expand cooperation following the inaugural Philippines-Poland Joint Defense Cooperation Committee, including through military training and educational exchanges.
“We look forward to building on the outcomes of the inaugural Philippines-Poland Joint Defense Cooperation Committee, including through joint training and educational opportunities,” Marcos added.
Marcos said he and Nawrocki also discussed regional and international security concerns, including developments in the South China Sea and the ongoing war in Ukraine and broader security issues in Europe.
“We reiterated our shared commitment to upholding the rule of law in international relations and the peaceful resolution of conflicts,” Marcos said.
Asked about lessons the Philippines and Poland could share in responding to changing security threats, Marcos said both countries maintain similar positions on international law and territorial integrity.
“We have found in our discussions and in looking at the actuations of our two countries in response to the challenges, similar challenges that we are facing, because the immediate connection between Poland and the Philippines is the belief in a value system and the respect for international law,” Marcos said.
“And of course, these incursions or attempts to change territorial definitions are unacceptable in both Poland and in the Philippines,” he stressed.
Marcos also emphasized the importance of maintaining diplomatic engagement as a way of addressing disputes.
“This is exactly the policy that the Philippines is undertaking. And it is, I believe, the correct way with which we can resolve such issues, and we will continue to do that,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and Poland strengthened their legal cooperation with the signing of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The pact is intended to improve coordination between the two countries in preventing and investigating crimes and handling criminal proceedings.
Marcos welcomed the agreement, noting that it follows earlier progress in bilateral legal cooperation.
“I am also pleased with the progress in legal cooperation between our two countries, marked by the signing of the Agreement on a Transfer of Sentenced Persons earlier this year, and today, as we have just witnessed, the signing of the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters,” Marcos said.
He also said the Philippines is prepared to start discussions toward an extradition agreement with Poland.
“We further affirmed our readiness to commence negotiations on an extradition agreement,” he said.
Marcos described Nawrocki’s visit as an important development in bilateral relations, noting that it marks the first visit to the Philippines by a Polish head of state.
“Your visit is a natural progression in our relations which have gained remarkable momentum over the past decade,” Marcos said during their bilateral meeting.
He said the partnership has grown beyond traditional areas of cooperation and now covers a broad range of sectors.
“Our cooperation now spans many, many areas which we might refer to us non-traditional areas such as security and defense, trade and investment, science and technology, food security, tourism, labor, academic and cultural exchanges, and certainly collaboration in regional and multinational fora towards upholding the rule of law in international relations,” the President added.
Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and members of his Cabinet welcomed Nawrocki at Malacañang on Tuesday afternoon.
Arrival honors were held inside the Palace Reception Hall after rain prompted officials to move the ceremony from the Kalayaan Grounds, the traditional venue for formal welcomes for visiting foreign leaders.