Ambassador Austria-Garcia, who is set to depart for Portugal soon, conveyed her thanks to both the outgoing and incoming officers of AFET for the support and cooperation that they have extended to her and to the Embassy during her tour of duty in Dili.

“I truly enjoyed my stay here in Timor-Leste among you and I am glad that we were able to leave positive marks with the Timorese side that have further improved the image of the Philippines in our host country,” said Ambassador Austria-Garcia.

For their part, the AFET officers, led by incoming President Mr. Danilo Sumabong, Vice President Engr. Marlon Pagkaliwangan, Secretary Shiela Freitas, Treasurer Matet Bayan, Auditor Arch. Angelito Miguel, and PRO George Revuelta expressed their desire to maintain excellent rapport and links with the embassy in order to safeguard the security and well-being of the Filipinos in Timor-Leste.

The event was an opportunity for the Ambassador to introduce newly-arrived First Secretary and Consul Jason Jovencio A. Anasarias, who assumed his functions on February 14 replacing Second Secretary and Vice Consul Maurice Tiempo, who left the post in December 2017.

As of February 2017, there are 1,398 Filipinos living in Timor-Leste, who work as entrepreneurs, nurses, teachers, engineers, construction workers and members of religious orders. END