Japanese warship docks at Subic Bay for 3-day goodwill visit

Japanese warship Asagiri (DD-151) docks at the Alava Pier in Subic Bay Freeport. Photo by Joanna Rose Aglibot

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT –– A Japanese warship carrying 200 sailors and navy officers arrived here on Tuesday for a three-day goodwill visit.

Asagiri (DD-151)from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) docked at the Alava Pier inside this free port at 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

The Japanese vessel, which also carried a helicopter, was welcomed by delegates from the Philippine Navy headed by Capt. Mardonio Navarro, director of the Naval Safety Office.

Commander Yuuichi Haeno, commanding officer of Asagiri, led the Japanese delegation.

Asagari is the front-runner of eight JMSDF general-purpose destroyers that are tasked mainly with anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.

During their stay here, the Japanese navy force will visit the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in San Antonio, Zambales to and will pay a courtesy call on Rear Adm. Allan Ferdinand Cusi, chief of naval staff.

This visit came a day after two Japanese minesweepers concluded their goodwill visit in Manila and marked the seventh time they visited the Philippines this year. /lzb