MILITARY veterans from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries are meeting in the Philippines as part of their continuing efforts to promote cooperation and enhance solidarity.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro will grace the Veterans Confederation of ASEAN Countries (VECONAC) during its 22nd General Assembly and 35th Executive Board Meeting.
The events started yesterday and will be held up to Thursday at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza.
Teodoro will be the guest of honor during the 22nd VECONAC General Assembly tomorrow, Tuesday.
Some 160 delegates and observers from 10 VECONAC member countries are participating in the event, consisting mostly of leaders of veterans’ organizations, defense department officials and defense attaches in the region.
The VECONAC was established in 1980 in Indonesia to promote cooperation and enhance solidarity among veteran organizations in ASEAN countries towards socio-economic prosperity among members.
“The hosting of VECONAC’s general assembly this year is an extension of the Philippines’ commitment to vibrantly engage with its Southeast Asian neighbors,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. (retired) Romeo Alamillo, president of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) and chairperson of the organizing committee hosting the event.
The VFP is a government-owned and controlled corporation supervised by the Department of National Defense.
“Our organizing team is excited and ready,” Alamillo said.