Two Filipino Cadets Graduate from Australian Defence Force Academy

Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to Australia Col. Dennis Gammad (leftmost), Midshipman Yvette Baybay (second), Officer Cadet Jaryd Nicolasora (third), and Assistant Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Nhel Patricio (rightmost) at the graduation ceremony of the Australian Defence Force Academy on 13 December 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo credit: **Australian Defence Force Academy Official Facebook Page**)

CANBERRA 08 January 2019 — Filipino cadets Midshipman Yvette Baybay and Officer Cadet Jaryd Nicolasora, graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy on 13 December 2018 in Canberra, after completing a three-year training and academic program with Australian military officers.

Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to Australia Col. Dennis Gammad and Assistant Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Nhel Patricio represented Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen B. De La Vega in the event. Midshipman Baybay will be joining the Philippine Navy, while Officer Cadet Nicolasora will be joining the Philippine Air Force.

Philippine Defense and Armed Forces Attaché to Australia Col. Dennis Gammad, Midshipman Yvette Baybay, Officer Cadet Jaryd Nicolasora, and Assistant Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Nhel Patricio at the graduation ceremony of the Australian Defence Force Academy on 13 December 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo credit:**Australian Defence Force Academy Official Facebook Page**)

In his remarks during the graduation ceremonies, Australian Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) recognized the graduating students from sending countries including the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and encouraged them to take what they have learned in service to their respective countries and maintain the friendships they have built during their time in Australia.

Australia is the Philippines’ second largest partner in defense and security cooperation. Under the Defence Cooperation Program, the Philippines has 36 military and civilian students who were given scholarship grants and training courses in Australia in 2018.

During their courtesy call on 04 December 2018, Ambassador De La Vega congratulated the cadets and expressed pride in their achievement.

His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, inspects the Parade at the graduation ceremony of the Australian Defence Force Academy on 13 December 2018 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo credit:**Australian Defence Force Academy Official Facebook Page**)

The Ambassador underscored the robust partnership of the Philippines and Australia, particularly in terms of defense cooperation, and urged the two cadets to help advance the relations between the two countries.

“The presence of Filipino military students in Australian institutions year after year is a hallmark of the shared history and values of our two countries. The defense cooperation and interoperability of our forces is a priority of our government,” Ambassador De La Vega said.

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For more information, visit www.canberrape.dfa.gov.ph, www.philembassy.org.au or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAustralia.