13 March 2024 – Philippine Ambassador to Türkiye, Henry S. Bensurto, Jr., presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Türkiye H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 12 March 2024 at the Presidential Palace in Beştepe, Ankara.
Photo: Philippine Ambassador to Türkiye Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. presents his Letter of Credence to H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of the Republic of Türkiye. (Photo courtesy of the Photo Gallery, Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye)
Ambassador Bensurto was accompanied by his spouse, Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto, Minister and Consul General Juan E. Dayang, Jr., and Consul General Shirlene C. Mananquil of the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul.
Photo: Turkish President, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (first row, second from right), Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. (first row, second from left), Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto (first row, leftmost), Minister and Consul General Juan E. Dayang, Jr. (second row, second from left), Consul General Shirlene C. Mananquil (second row, leftmost), and Turkish officials from the Office of the Presidency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Photo courtesy of the Photo Gallery, Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye)
During the meeting following the ceremony, Ambassador Bensurto and President Erdoğan discussed bilateral issues of mutual concern, including political, economic, defense, and cultural matters, and the Rule of Law.
Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. (left), Turkish President H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (center), and Madame Ann Mariza N. Sanchez-Bensurto (right) (Photo courtesy of the Photo Gallery, Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye)
Turkish President Erdoğan welcomed Ambassador Bensurto as the 11th resident Ambassador of the Philippines in Türkiye and looked forward to building strong relationships with the Philippines in all areas as the two countries celebrate their 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
Photo: Officials and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara and Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul in front of the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (Photo courtesy of the Anıtkabir Association)
Ambassador Bensurto also conveyed the solidarity of the Philippines with the victims of last year’s deadly earthquake and expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s contribution to the peace process in Mindanao. The meeting concluded with the Ambassador’s assurance to President Erdoğan on the commitment of both the Philippine Embassy in Ankara and Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul to enhance relations between the two countries.
Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. and officers and staff from the Philippine Embassy and Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul at the wreath-laying ceremony in Anıtkabir (Photo courtesy of the Anıtkabir Association)
The following day, as part of the ceremony for newly-accredited ambassadors to Türkiye, Ambassador Bensurto laid a wreath at Anıtkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, to honor the founding father and the first President of the Turkish Republic. The Ambassador was joined by officers and staff of the Embassy and the Consulate General.
Photo: Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. lays a wreath at the tomb of the founder and first President of the Republic of Türkiye Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (Photo courtesy of the Anıtkabir Association)
In his message on the Book of Honor at Anıtkabir, on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the Ambassador wrote that although a century has passed since Atatürk established the Republic of Türkiye and Anıtkabir continues to be a symbol of Türkiye's existence, uniting the people as they carry with them the enduring principles, ideals, and vision of the great leader. END.
