3 Japanese warships in Phl for 4-day goodwill visit

MANILA, Philippines - Three Japanese warships are in the country for a port call that seeks to boost defense ties between Manila and Tokyo.

Japanese Training Squadron ships JS Kashima, JS Setoyuki and JS Asagiri docked in South Harbor, Manila yesterday for a goodwill visit from Oct. 13 to 16.

The vessels are under the training squadron of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) headed by Rear Adm. Hideki Yuasa.

Philippine Navy representatives led by Naval Reserve Command chief Commodore Primitivo Gopo welcomed the ships.

Yuasa and the ships’ commanding officers Capt. Tetsuya Morita, Commander Ryoko Azuma and Commander Kenji Kawauchi paid a courtesy call on Navy chief Vice Adm. Jesus Millan at the Navy headquarters.

Yuasa expects the visit to promote “mutual understanding and good relationship” with the Philippine Navy.

“I expect that through this interaction, the relationship of JMSDF and PN will be much closer,” a Philippine Navy statement quoted Yuasa as saying.

The visit will include activities like wreath laying at the Rizal Park, courtesy calls, a Japanese Navy-hosted reception aboard JS Kashima, goodwill games, shipboard tour, subject matter expertise exchanges and a Philippine Navy-hosted reception.

“This will also be a good venue to collaborate with JMSDF in promoting peace and stability within the maritime region,” Navy spokesperson Lt. Commander Marineth Domingo said.