31 August 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi celebrated National Heroes Day with a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal today.

Embassy personnel and their families were joined by 34 participants to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff Course (AFPCGSC) Class 60 headed by Col. Isaias N. Espino, PAF (GSC).  The contingent was composed of senior officers from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy and the Technical Administrative Service.  It also included a representative from the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and four international military students from Indonesia and South Korea.

Ambassador Ma. Teresita C. Daza welcomed the AFPCGSC participants saying that their visit is doubly significant since they are the first group to call on her after the presentation of credentials on 28 August 2015 and also because of the celebration of National Heroes Day.  She described soldiers as modern heroes who risk their lives for their country.  Ambassador Daza encouraged the participants to maximize their academic tour by learning as much as they can during their visits to Indian defense establishments, think tanks and centers for peace-keeping. 

AFPCGSC in India was organized by the Office of the Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché headed by Captain Sean Anthony U. Villa, PN (GSC).  The program will increase defense and military cooperation between the Philippines and India, as well as highlight the benefits of enhanced partnership and cooperation between the two countries.