The Philippines, Japan Hold Staff to Staff Talks

In response to the invitation of Admiral Katsotoshi Kawano, Chief of Staff of Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), the Philippine Navy sent a delegation to Tokyo, Japan for the 3rd PN–JMSDF Staff to Staff Talks from 8th to 11th of April 2014.

During the talks, topics on Security Environment, Defense Policy and Build-Up Defense Program, Strategy and Activities and Defense Exchange Program were discussed by the participants.

The participants also tackled the lessons learned during the Disaster Relief and Rescue Operations following typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda onslaught.

PN–JMSDF Staff to Staff Talks is conducted as a way of strengthening bilateral relations and discussing matters that will increase the degree of cooperation, promote mutual understanding, trust and contribute to stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

In October 2012, the PN hosted the 2nd PN–JMSDF Staff to Staff Talks in Manila.

The talk focused on the terms of the Defense Cooperation and Exchanges (DCE) between the Department of National Defense (DND) of the Philippines and the Ministry of Defense (MOD) of Japan as signed by DND Secretary Voltaire T Gazmin and MOD Minister Satoshi Morimoto on July 02, 2012.

The DCE covers various defense exchanges such as working level exchanges, education and research exchanges, capacity building, exchange of information, multilateral cooperation and other forms of cooperation as may be mutually decided upon by the two countries.

The cooperation is also visible in mutual exchange of visits, like the one early April when two Japanese warships visited South Harbor, Manila. The visit included activities such as sport competitions, ship tours and receptions to promote cooperation between the two navies.

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Press Release, April 15, 2014, Image: Philippine Navy