Japan military chief in Philippines for ‘humanitarian mission’—AFP spokesman

General Shigeru Iwasaki (left) is accorded honors at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. PHOTO BY SSG GILDO CABALO/AFP PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE

MANILA, Philippines—The Chief of Joint Staff of Japan Self Defense Force paid a courtesy call on  Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa along with other top generals  Wednesday at Camp Aguinaldo.

General Shigeru Iwasaki, who was given arrival honors at the military’s main headquarters, is in the country for a humanitarian mission in Samar.

“The meeting with (Dellosa)  will most likely center on cooperation between two armed forces when it comes to further improving preparations and strengthening partnerships in humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. told reporters.

The Pacific Partnership 2012 humanitarian mission will be held from June 17 to 30. The USNS Mercy of the United States was already anchored offshore at Calbayog Port Facility to provide medical civic assistance programs, veterinary civic assistance programs and dental civic assistance programs in Samar.

Meanwhile, Japanese ship Oosumi joined USNS Mercy on June 18 also in Calbayog City Port to support in its mission particularly in sealift and airlift operations.

Iwasaki will also visit the headquarters of the tactical operations group of the Philippine Air Force in Tacloban City, Leyte.

It was the first time that the highest ranking military officer of Japan visited the Philippines, according to Burgos.

Iwasaki will leave the country Friday.

US military Joint Chief of Staff General Martin Dempsey also visited the country June 3 to discuss security issues.