Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada (right) receives a gift from Brigadier Staff Pilot Khalifa Butti Thani Alshamsi, head of the 20- man National Defense College of the United Arab Emirates (NDC UAE) delegation during their courtesy call to the Committee on National Defense and Security Chairperson at the Senate on March 14,2023.

In nearly 49 years of the country’s diplomatic relations with UAE, the NDC visit is one of the Philippines’ first major defense engagements. The Philippines acknowledges the UAE as an important partner in the Gulf region and in playing a strategic role in maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.

(Benjie J. Murillo / Rey Javelosa, Office of Senator Estrada).