Namaste. Mabuhay. Allow me to greet His Excellency Harsh Kumar Jain, the Indian Ambassador to the Philippines. 

Let me also greet Rear Admiral Susheel Menon, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet Indian Navy. Let me also greet the different ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps who are with us. Our National Security Advisor, General Eduardo Año. 

We also have Undersecretary for Migration Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Undersecretary Eduardo José de Vega. The Deputy Director General for Partnership and Engagement, Deputy Director General Nestor Jericho. Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, members of the Indian Navy, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, good evening. 

It is my distinct honor and privilege to be with you tonight onboard the INS Shakti, a name that means power, strength, and energy. I hope I am correct with this. And indeed, this visit by the Indian Navy brings with it a surge of all three—a powerful signal of solidarity, strength in partnership, and energy in cooperation between two vibrant democracies in the Indo-Pacific region. 

On behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I warmly welcome the officers and crew of the INS Mysore, INS Kiltan, and the INS Shakti to the Philippines. Your presence here affirms not only the growing defense ties between our nations, but also our shared commitment to maritime security, regional stability, and a rules-based international order. 

Last March 2025, when I attended the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, India, I had the opportunity to have a bilateral dialogue with my counterpart, the Chief of Defense Forces of the Indian Armed Forces, General Anil Chauhan. And in that bilateral meeting, I invited the Indian Armed Forces to come to the Philippines to join our joint sail. And so, ladies and gentlemen, here we are now, four months after that bilateral meeting, with this port call of these three Indian Navy ships. 

This is more than just a ceremonial gesture. It precedes a significant milestone—the first ever joint maritime patrol between the Philippine Navy and the Indian Navy in the West Philippine Sea. So let's give them a big round of applause, please. 

In today's geopolitical landscape, the coordinated patrol is a clear demonstration of our mutual resolve to safeguard freedom of navigation and uphold the law of the sea. As we stand watch over a region vital to global trade and security, we do not do so in isolation, but in partnership with nations who share our values. Nations like India, whose longstanding traditions of strategic autonomy, defense innovation, and democratic resilience continue to inspire and strengthen our collective endeavors. 

Thus, we thank India for being a steadfast partner, not just in diplomacy, but in capability building—from the historic acquisition of the BrahMos missile systems, to your readiness to support us with advanced defense platforms, training, and even joint research and production. India’s support to the modernization of the AFP is deeply valued. 

Beyond equipment and platforms, it is the human bonds between our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines that will define the future of our defense cooperation. In fact, we have had a lot of Indian officers who came to the Philippines to join our Command and General Staff Corps. And we are very proud of their accomplishments. In fact, it was an Indian officer who topped one of the Command and General Staff courses in the Philippines. So congratulations. Also, we now have three officers who are training in India for their pre-commissionship training—three male officers and one female officer.

 So as we look to the future, let us carry forward the momentum of this visit—not just through exercises and agreements, but through continued collaboration anchored on mutual respect, shared values, and a common purpose. To the officers and crew of the Indian Navy, we thank you for your presence and partnership. May your visit be safe, productive, and may it be a lasting reminder of the friendship between our two nations. 

Thank you very much. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas. Mabuhay ang India.