MANILA – The Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia announced the opening of a resident Defense Attache’ Office in Manila and the assumption of duties by Captain Stéphan Litzler as Defense Attaché on Tuesday, June 17, 2024.
The establishment of a new Defense Attache’ Office was earlier announced by French Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu during his visit in Manila last December 2, 2023.
“This important decision is in line with the strengthening of bilateral relations between France and the Philippines, as called for by Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and already illustrated by the embassy’s move to its new premises at the beginning of the year with enhanced resources,” the announcement stated.
Captain Stéphan Litzler posted a photo onboard BRP Antonio Luna, dated October 6, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Litzler Stéphan X account)
According to the Embassy of France, the resumption of cooperation between France and the Philippines in the field of defense has already taken concrete form with the official visit of Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief Staff of the French Navy, last April 24, 2024.
The Embassy also mentioned France’s active participation in the Balikatan Exercise last April, with the presence of the frigate Vendémiaire, and the stopover of the destroyer Bretagne in Manila from May 31 to June 4, 2024.
The French Embassy also revealed that the Philippines will host the first stopover of several combat and support aircraft, including two (2) Rafales, a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft built by Dassault Aviation.
Captain Litzler will head the Defense Attaché Office of the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, comprising Colonel Michel Midon, the Armament Attaché, who has been based in Manila since September 2023, and Command Master Sergeant Éric Thieffry, whose arrival is imminent, the Embassy said in a statement.
