CONSUL GENERAL IN SAN FRANCISCO SPEAKS AT 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF
Consul General Neil Ferrer delivers his remarks.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – Consul General Neil Ferrer joined a distinguished panel of speakers during the 80th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Leyte Gulf with the theme “Forging an Enduring Alliance” on 17 September 2024 at Marines’ Club and Hotel.
Organized by the Bataan Legacy Historical Society and the San Francisco Fleet Week, the event brought together historians, military officers, diplomats, academics, and veterans and their families.
During the commemoration, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer discussed the Philippines – US alliance and recent updates on relations, the country’s commitment to multilateralism and rules-based order, the importance of ASEAN Centrality to the Philippines, and the Philippine position on the West Philippine Sea
“The Philippines will continue to attach great importance to its relationship with the United States, our only treaty ally. This partnership is critical to ensuring our individual and collective ability to promote peace and stability in the region, including in addressing new and emerging security challenges,” Consul General Ferrer said.
In a recorded message, Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez expressed, “Beyond a clash of naval forces, the Battle of Leyte Gulf forged lasting bonds between the Philippines and the United States which has now evolved into a robust and comprehensive relationship.”
Other speakers included Prof. James Holmes Armstead Jr. from Naval War College; Prof. Surinder Rana PhD, Associate Dean of Defense Language Institute; and Prof. (Emeritus) Larry Martinez, California State University Long Beach.
The Battle of Leyte Gulf was the largest naval battle of World War II, and for some, the largest naval battle in history, with over 200,000 naval personnel involved. END
Consul General Ferrer (2nd from left) joins a group photo with Flag Officer-in Command of the Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Toriibio Adaci, Jr. (3rd from left), Cecilia Gaerlan of Bataan Legacy Historical Society (4th from left) and other speakers.
Top left: Video message of Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez is played. Top right: Flag Officer-in Command of the Philippine Navy Vice Admiral Toriibio Adaci, Jr. delivers his keynote address.
Left to right: Consul Rowena R. Pangilinan-Daquipil, Consul General Neil Ferrer, Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci, Jr. and Naval Attaché Capt. James Francis Lugtu.