Malacañang — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Friday, November 23, conferred the Order of Sikatuna on outgoing Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jaroslav Olša Jr., during his farewell to the President.
The Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), gold distinction, was conferred on the Czech envoy for his significant role in strengthening and deepening the cordial relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Czech Republic.
President Duterte recognized the ambassador for his committed efforts in further strengthening cooperation between the Czech Republic and the Republic of the Philippines to advance peace, progress, and prosperity, and for helping to bring closer the people of the Republic of the Philippines and the Czech Republic in greater friendship, understanding, and mutual respect.
Ambassador Olša started serving in the Philippines in 2014.
Also present during the farewell call were Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella and Foreign Affairs Director Indhira Bañares.
Accompanying the Czech envoy were Czech Deputy Chief of Mission Jana Peterková and Czech Republic’s Trade and Economic Counselor First Secretary Benjamin Žiga.
Farewell call of Australian Ambassador
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte also conferred the Order of Sikatuna on outgoing Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely who started serving in the Philippines in 2014.
Ambassador Gorely was awarded the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), silver distinction.
The Australian Ambassador received the Order of Sikatuna for her role in facilitating high-level visits and meetings, for her dedicated efforts to further strengthetning bilateral ties between the Philippines and Australia.
Present during her farewell call were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella.
The Australian envoy was joined by Australian Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission Mat Kimberley, Australian Defense Attachē Captain Bradley White, and Australian Political Counsellors Caroline Fogarty and Clare Duffield.
Farewell call of Malaysian Ambassador
Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Dato’ Razlan Abdul Rashid also met with President Duterte for his farewell call. He was also awarded the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Grand Cross (Datu), silver distinction.
The Chief Executive recognized the Malaysian envoy for his committed efforts to further strengthen cooperation between Malaysia and the Republic of the Philippines.
Ambassador Dato’ Raszlan Abdul Rashid started serving in the Philippines in August 2016.
Present during his farewell call were Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella.
Accompanying the Malaysian envoy were Malaysian Deputy Chief of Mission Rizany Irwan Muhammad, Malaysian Defense Attaché Col. Saharudin Harun, Royal Malaysian Police Attaché Supt. Osri Sarikol, and Trade Commissioner Siti Azlina Mohd Ali Hanafiah.###PND
