AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND EMBASSIES COMMEMORATE ANZAC DAY
Australian Ambassador Rod Smith (centre) and New Zealand Ambassador Andrew Matheson (left) led the ANZAC Day commemoration at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) in Fort Bonifacio last 25 April to mark the 95th anniversary of the first major military action involving Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.
ANZAC was the name given to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps which landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey early on the morning of 25 April 1915. The dawn service honoured Australians and New Zealanders who lost their lives in time of war and in the cause of peace and celebrated the legacy that has become an important part of the national identity of both nations.
Department of National Defense Acting Secretary Norberto Gonzales, Undersecretary Ernesto Carolina, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen Delfin Bangit, and single-Service Chiefs Lt Gen Reynaldo Mapagua, Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez and Lt Gen Oscar Rabena, joined the Australian and New Zealand communities, the diplomatic corps and other Philippine Government agencies attending the dawn service.
Also in the photo are Australian Embassy Defence Attaché CAPT Vic Jones (back right) and Major Andrew Barge, Australian exchange officer, Armed Forces of the Philippines Command and General Staff College.