If there is a silver lining in the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the military, it would be the sustained cooperation between the Philippine Army (PA) and the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, PA commanding general, said.
(6th Infantry Division – Kampilan Facebook / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Sobejana made the assessment Sunday after his telephone conference with JGSDF Chief of Staff Gen. Goro Yuasa.
"The Philippine Army is geared towards sustaining the PA-JGSDF relations, explore and maximize the alternative means of coordination, and ensure all of the plans are being implemented despite the pandemic," Sobejana said.
"The PA will remain committed in boosting our bilateral relationship with our military counterparts, pursuing a more peaceful and secured region," he added.
The telephone conference between Sobejana and Yuasa was held last Aug. 21.
During the two military chiefs' exchange, Sobejana thanked Yuasa for Japan's sending of health experts from the Nagasaki University Medical Staff to provide technical assistance to Filipino health workers in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.
He also expressed gratitude for Japan's donation of polymerase chain reaction reagents and equipment to San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.
Sobejana assured Yuasa that the PA "is ready to lend a helping hand to Japan" should any disaster or natural calamity strikes in the East Asian country.