Makati City
10 September 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III highlighted the solidifying ties and protection of common seas when he graced the 7th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM) in Makati City.

In his speech, President Aquino underscored key areas that the ASEAN Economic Community intends to establish by 2015: freedom of navigation, safety of commercial vessels and security of civilian passengers. “This is precisely what all of us here want to ensure; and it gives me great optimism that all of you are here to talk and listen to each other about how we can better pursue these goals,” he said.

ANCM is an annual activity rotationally hosted by the ASEAN navies. The gathering aims to boost the degree of cooperation and interoperability among these navies and likewise promote their maritime security and stability through various initiatives. Relatively, this is the first time that the Philippines had hosted such gathering.

Philippine Navy Flag Officer In-Command Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano joined the Commander-in-Chief during the event.

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