Indonesia is conferring a peace medal to the Philippine’s head of national defense for the rescue of eight Indonesian fishermen kidnapped by the Islamic State-linked Abu Sayyaf group in 2019.
Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana will be the first Filipino to receive the Medali Perdamaian or Medal of Peace, to be given by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
The House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs approved a resolution Thursday allowing Mr. Lorenzana to accept the recognition.
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, government officials would need approval from Congress before receiving awards, presents, office, or title from any foreign government.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Nathaniel G. Imperial told the committee that the acceptance of the award would help cement bilateral ties between the Philippines and Indonesia.
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https://www.bworldonline.com/indonesia-to-award-phl-defense-chief-for-rescue-of-8-kidnapped-fishermen/