Japanese warships to arrive in Manila

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Three Japanese warships will arrive in Manila next week for a four-day goodwill visit.

“The Japanese vessels will arrive at the Port of Manila. During the visit (October 13 to 16), there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Shrine at Luneta Park, Manila, goodwill games, and shipboard tour,” the Philippine Navy said in an advisory on Friday.

Both countries share a common rival claimant in China over the South and East China Seas (West Philippine Sea and Senkaku).

The three vessels of the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force are JS KASHIMA (TV3508, skippered by Captain Tetsuya Morita), JS Setoyuki (TV3518, skippered by Commander Ryoko Azuma), and JS Asagiri (DD151, skippered by Commander Kenji Kawauchi) with one Sea Hawk helicopter onboard (SH-60J).

The ships have about 730 officers and crew under the command of Rear Admiral Hideki Yuasa.

Yuasa will make courtesy calls to Philippine Navy officials.

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