UK and the Phl: Broader, richer ties

I’m looking forward to an exciting 2018 for the UK’s relations with the Philippines. My New Year’s Resolution is to make them still broader, deeper and richer.

We started 2018 with the tragedies of Tropical Storms Urduja and Vinta fresh in all our minds. I admire the efforts of all those working hard to help the victims. I recently saw for myself the impressive work of the Philippine Red Cross when I visited their HQ in Manila. And I am proud of the United Kingdom’s contribution to the £300,000 (nearly P21 million) of humanitarian assistance from the START Fund, being delivered via a range of NGOs.

The UK is already Europe’s leading investor in the Philippines, and there is no shortage of British companies eager to do business here. Over 200 of them are already active, working in a broad range of sectors. Retail is booming, with British brands visible everywhere. Before Christmas I was delighted to attend the opening of the latest branch in the country-wide network of British shoe shop Clarks. British consultants, engineers and designers are all engaging on the many infrastructure opportunities in the Philippines. The embassy is organising activities to highlight what the UK can offer on digital services, construction, design and architecture. And, with the British Chamber of Commerce, I will be leading what I hope will be our biggest ever trade mission to Iloilo in March.

In London in December our countries agreed a joint statement of intent, reinforcing our ambition to deepen our trade and investment ties.

We will continue to discuss human rights with our broad range of contacts here in the Philippines, including the war on drugs, the rule of law and the position of Human Rights Defenders. And we will continue to share the UK’s experience of addressing the tragic consequences of drug addiction and abuse, including how we try to help communities, families and individuals through a comprehensive and balanced approach.

The UK stands with the Philippines in the fight against terrorism. My last official act in 2017 was attending Armed Forces Day. I was deeply moved by the stories of bravery and sacrifice among the AFP I heard that day. And impressed by the pride and professionalism of everyone I met. The British Government pays tribute to the sacrifice of all those who lost their lives in the liberation of Marawi.

The UK has a long tradition of sharing training and expertise with the AFP. Defence Secretary Lorenzana himself completed the UK’s Commando Training Course with great distinction in the 1980s. So I was thrilled that our countries signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Defence at the end of 2017. That opens the way for enhanced exchanges between us. And we also confirmed last year our partnership with the Philippines in tackling cyber-security.

Alongside the work underway to rebuild Marawi City after the devastating siege there I hope the UK can also help support communities who have suffered the effects of violent conflict. We look forward this year to seeing progress in the efforts to bring peace to the country.

2018 brings opportunities for our countries to work together on the global stage. We are already collaborating on our approach to the illegal wildlife trade. Our collaboration to counter human trafficking, modern day slavery and online sexual exploitation of children is getting deeper and more effective every day. And we have an ever-broadening joint agenda on equality and inclusion.

I was thrilled to start 2018 awarding grants for research in science and innovation to 25 Filipino students under the UK’s Newton Agham programme. We will shortly be welcoming back the 27 Chevening scholars who have been studying in the UK this past year. And this year will also see the implementation of the first batch of our Transnational Education links programmes: nearly 20 British and Filipino universities working together to deliver joint post-graduate qualifications. Education is such an exciting, vibrant and growing area between our two countries. I hope before my time here is up we will see a British university with a physical presence here in the Philippines.

I have been deeply touched by the warmth, generosity and kindness of the Filipino welcome these past months. Contacts and colleagues quickly become friends. And this stunningly beautiful country will be a joy to explore over the next four years. I’ve already started: swimming with sea turtles off the coast of Negros Oriental just after Christmas was an amazing experience. I look forward to many more.

The UK is committed to the Philippines. We are committed to an honest friendship and a productive partnership. We will be celebrating that at our Great British Festival, starting in Manila on 23 February and reaching out across the country in the next two weeks.

During my four short years here I will do my utmost to enhance our relationship still further: making it broader, deeper and richer.

(Daniel Pruce is the British Ambassador to the Philippines. Twitter @DanielPruce)