Japanese warships arrive in PH

MANILA, Philippines – Rising Sun flags once again flap in Philippine sea breeze, this time bringing camaraderie and unity.

On Monday, three Japanese ships from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) arrived at the South Harbor of Manila for a four-day goodwill visit that would end on Thursday.

Rear Admiral Hideki Yuasa led the three warships of the Japanese Training Squadron to promote camaraderie and strengthen the ties between the bilateral relations of the Philippine Navy and the JMSDF, Lieutenant Commander Marineth Domingo, Philippine Navy Public Affairs Chief, said.

“Goodwill visits like these aim to strengthen the bilateral relation with our foreign counterpart, specifically the Japanese Navy,” Domingo said.

“This will be a good venue in collaborating the JMSDF in promoting peace and stability within the maritime region.”

Captain Tetsuya Morita was the skipper of JS Kashima while Commander Ryoko Kazuma and Commander Kenji Kawauchi were the skippers of JS Setoyuki and JS Asagiri respectively.

Commodore Primitivo Gopo, Naval Reserve Command Commander, led the welcome ceremonies for the Japanese visitors.

Vice Admiral Jesus Millan, Philippine Navy Chief, also welcomed Yuasa and the three skippers to the Philippine Navy General Headquarters in Manila.

Hideki said that they expect that the visit would bring mutual understanding and good relationship with the Philippine Navy.

“I expect that through these interactions, the relationship of the JMSDF and the Philippine Navy would be much closer,” Hideki said.

Domingo said the visit would include a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Park, courtesy calls, a Japanese-hosted reception at the Kashima, sports events, expertise discussion and a Philippine-hosted reception.