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Embassy of the Philippines, Ankara

Embassy of the Philippines, Ankara
Pasuguan ng Pilipinas sa Ankara
Filipinler'in Ankara Büyükelçiliği
LocationAnkara
AddressKazım Özalp Mahallesi, Kumkapı Sokak, No:36, Çankaya District
Coordinates39°53′14.9″N 32°52′25.1″E / 39.887472°N 32.873639°E / 39.887472; 32.873639
AmbassadorHenry S. Bensurto Jr.
Websiteankarape.dfa.gov.ph

The Embassy of the Philippines in Ankara is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of the Philippines to the Republic of Türkiye (Turkey). Opened in 1991, it is located in the Kazım Özalp neighborhood of the Çankaya District in central Ankara, near the Atatürk Museum Mansion and the Çankaya Mansion.

History

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Although the Philippines and Turkey established diplomatic relations on June 13, 1949,[1] relations between the two countries were historically conducted through other missions, most recently the Philippine Embassy in Tehran which assumed jurisdiction over Turkey in 1975.[2] An honorary consulate headed by Ömer Yalnızoğlu was later opened to represent Philippine interests in Turkey.[2]

The Philippine Embassy in Ankara opened in 1991, following the opening of the Turkish Embassy in Manila the year before.[3] Bonifacio P. Arribas was then appointed as the country's first resident ambassador to Turkey, presenting his credentials to Turkish President Turgut Özal on October 30, 1991.[1]

The embassy was the only Philippine diplomatic mission in Turkey until it, acting on instructions from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), issued a note verbale requesting permission from the Turkish government to open a resident Philippine consulate in Istanbul, the country's largest city, on October 2, 2019. The Turkish government subsequently granted permission nearly three weeks later, and the Philippine Consulate General in Istanbul opened on January 2, 2020.[4]

Chancery

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The previous chancery on 56 Mahatma Gandhi Avenue in Büyükesat

Until 2015, the chancery of the Philippine Embassy in Ankara was located on 56 Mahatma Gandhi Avenue in the neighboring Büyükesat neighborhood,[5] across from the Betül Can Anatolian High School.[6]

On August 27, 2015, the embassy announced that it was relocating to a new chancery 950 meters (0.59 mi) to the southwest on Kumkapı Sokak.[6] Opening on September 1, 2015,[7] the new chancery is a five-storey standalone structure initially leased to the Philippine government until December 31, 2020, with the building also containing a basement and parking facilities.[8]

In the 2017–2022 Philippine Development Plan, the Philippine government identified as a priority project the acquisition of a property in Ankara to serve as a permanent chancery, budgeting over ₱300 million for this purpose and assigning the DFA to serve as the implementing agency.[8]

Staff and activities

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See also: List of ambassadors of the Philippines to Turkey

The Philippine Embassy in Ankara is headed by Ambassador Henry S. Bensurto Jr., who was appointed to the position by President Bongbong Marcos on March 24, 2023.[9] Prior to his appointment as ambassador, Bensurto, a career diplomat and a lawyer by training,[10] served as the DFA's Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs,[11] and before that served as consul general at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco.[12] His appointment was subsequently confirmed by the Commission on Appointments on May 31, 2023,[13] and he presented his credentials to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on March 12, 2024.[14]

The embassy's activities center around ensuring the welfare of Filipinos in Turkey, especially during natural disasters. After the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes it organized relief efforts for Filipinos in the earthquake zone,[15] conducted evacuations from the zone to Ankara,[16] and facilitated the entry of the country's search and rescue contingent to help in earthquake relief efforts,[17] something which the Turkish government later honored the country for.[18] It is also involved in promoting and deepening cultural, economic and political ties between the Philippines and Turkey, including facilitating educational visits to Turkish higher education institutions,[19] promoting Philippine culture at events such as the Istanbul Biennial,[20] and allowing Filipinos in Turkey to reconnect with Filipino culture through activities such as an annual parol workshop.[21]

Beyond Turkey, the embassy's jurisdiction also includes Azerbaijan and, since 2005, Georgia, with honorary consuls subordinate to the embassy being present in both countries.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "The Embassy". Embassy of the Philippines, Ankara. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Historical Background". Embassy of the Philippines, Tehran. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  3. ^ "Filipinler-Türkiye diplomatik ilişkilerinin 75. yıl dönümü resepsiyonu düzenlendi" [Reception for the 75th anniversary of Philippines-Turkey diplomatic relations]. Haberler.com (in Turkish). June 12, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  4. ^ "Historical Background". Consulate General of the Philippines, Istanbul. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "Directory of Philippine Embassies worldwide". The Philippine Star. April 1, 2011. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Please find below the route/direction to the new location of the Embassy of the Philippines located at Kazım Özalp Mh. Kumkapı Sokak No. 36, Gazi Osman Pasa, Cankaya, Ankara:" (Press release). Embassy of the Philippines, Ankara. August 27, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  7. ^ "ANNOUNCEMENT" (Press release). Embassy of the Philippines, Ankara. August 27, 2015. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Chapter 19: Accelerating Infrastructure Development" (PDF). List of Priority Programs and Projects in the 2017-2022 Public Investment Programs (PIP) (Report). National Economic and Development Authority. p. 78. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  9. ^ Flores, Helen (March 25, 2023). "President Marcos names Bensurto as Philippine ambassador to Turkey". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  10. ^ Butuyan, Joel Ruiz (October 25, 2021). "China and our next president". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  11. ^ Lee-Brago, Pia (September 30, 2022). "VaxCertPH turned over to ICAO for recognition". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  12. ^ Nucum, Jun (May 10, 2019). "Dialogue with SF consular officials follows picket for clean PH polls". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  13. ^ Casayuran, Mario (May 31, 2023). "7 envoys, 86 senior AFP officials get CA nod". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  14. ^ "Philippine Ambassador Presents Credentials to Turkish President" (Press release). Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. March 18, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  15. ^ Antonio, Raymund (February 9, 2023). "Pinoys in quake-hit Turkey get aid from PH embassy; efforts on to find those missing". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  16. ^ Ramos, Marlon; Santos, Tina G. (February 13, 2023). "53 Filipinos evacuated to Turkish capital Ankara". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  17. ^ Clapano, Jose Rodel (February 12, 2023). "Philippine teams join 'Hasty Search' in Turkey". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  18. ^ Mangaluz, Jean (April 30, 2023). "Turkey honors PH for helping in earthquake rescue operations". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  19. ^ Lee-Brago, Pia (January 5, 2012). "Phl to start using electron beam accelerators". The Philippine Star. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  20. ^ Vivas, Jules (February 24, 2023). "Philippine riches at Istanbul Biennial". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  21. ^ "PHL Embassy in Turkey Conducts 4th Parol-Making Workshop in Ankara" (Press release). Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. October 23, 2017. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
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