Philippines acquires Israel’s Spyder air defense system
ISRAEL on Tuesday turned over a simulator training facility to the Philippines for a ground-based mobile air defense system developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. with assistance from the Israel Aerospace Industries.
The Spyder Defense System is “a significant component in enhancing the protection and defense of the Philippine skies and aerial territory,” Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said in a tweet on Tuesday.
“This is an important milestone in the defense cooperation between our two countries,” he added.
The turnover ceremony, held at the Basa Air Base in Pampanga, was attended by Philippine officials led by Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and Philippine Air Force Commanding General Connor Anthony D. Canlas, Sr.
UN EXHIBIT
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. launched an exhibit in New York last week commemorating the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, according to a Department of Foreign Affairs statement on Tuesday.
The 20-foot centerpiece will be on display at the UN headquarters from April 18 to 29.
Mr. Locsin said “the exhibit is the Philippines’ contribution to the dissemination of the declaration and the commitments needed for its full observance.”
The Manila Declaration addresses both the normative and procedural aspects of the United Nations Charter, said UN Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs D. Stephen Mathias.
The Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Nov. 15, 1982. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
