Busan – Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator, Undersecretary Reynaldo B Mapagu, representing the Secretary of National Defense, Secretary Gilberto C Teodoro, Jr., participated in the 2023 Ministerial Summit on Veterans Affairs hosted by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs (MPVA), Republic of Korea held at Signiel Hotel, Busan. The summit gathered ministries on veterans affairs from states that sent soldiers for the United Nations Command during the Korean War.
During the summit, USec Mapagu highlighted the activities in the Philippines to look after Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) veterans such as their pension and non-pension benefits especially medical care and the efforts to preserve their heroic legacy through commemoration events and publication of historical books. USec Mapagu also highlighted the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Philippine Department of National Defense signed in 2022 to further enhance cooperation and partnership on veterans affairs between the two agencies. USec Mapagu also bared the plans to identify, locate, and repatriate the 16 PEFTOK soldiers who remain categorized as missing in action. This will be done through DNA testing and matching with family members in the Philippines.
At the summit’s closing, on behalf of Secretary Teodoro, USec Mapagu also signed the Joint Statement on Solidarity for the Value of Freedom.
After the summit a Thank You Banquet for UN Sending States was hosted by the MPVA and was held at Signiel Hotel, Busan. During the banquet the Ambassador for Peace Medal was presented by Minister Park to 13 Korean War veterans including Vet. Bonifacio Tadle of the 10th Battalion Combat Team. During the banquet Minister Park also presented the “One and Only Heroes Shoes”, a custom made shoes for veterans of the Korean War.
Earlier that day, the Mayor of Busan, Hon Park Heong-joon, hosted a luncheon for the delegations from the UN Sending States. During the luncheon Mayor Park Heong-joon expressed the appreciation of the people of Busan to the help extended by UN Sending States during the Korean War and for the aid received even after the signing of the armistice.
The above activities are part of this year’s commemoration of the 70th year anniversary of the signing of Korean War Armistice Agreement and the UN Forces Participation Day, all organized by MPVA.
Amb. Huang Xilian: I would like to express our sympathy to those who have been affected by typhoon Doksuri (Egay), as well as by the rain-induced floods and landslides that afflicted Northern Luzon and other regions of the Philippines.
My thoughts are with all the grieving families; may they find comfort and fortitude during this trying time.
As closer neighbor, China is always prepared to assist when necessary. Wishing that all those impacted could quickly rebuild their homes after overcoming the pain and suffering.
