Officials of the Philippine Army and the Philippine Marine Corps met with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) to discuss annual activities that will boost the operational capability and interoperability.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief information officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the meeting was the 6th staff talks between the three forces and was held in Tokyo, Japan from Sept. 27 to 28.
"The Staff Talks, which will be hosted by the three parties in rotation, aim to develop annual and medium-term activities that will enhance capabilities and sustain trilateral relations," said Trinidad.
The discussion was an offshoot of the signing of the Terms of Reference TOR) by Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr.,Marine commandant Brig. Gen. Raul Jesus L. Caldez and JGSDF Chief of Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide during the 6th iteration of the PA-PMC-JGSDF "Strategic Guidance on Cooperation” on July 27 this year.
The updated TOR laid the groundwork for engagements among PA, PMC, and JGSDF, which includes Japan’s Marine Unit.
The TOR is geared at enhancing defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthening cooperation against emerging threats in new domains, among others. PA and the JGSDF signed an earlier TOR more than seven years ago. JGDSF is one of the key partners of PA in beefing up its disaster-response capabilities.
Philippine Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans Colonel Benjamin L. Leander, PMC Chief of Staff Colonel Larry C. Batalla, and Colonel Oku Kazumasa of the JGSDF led the Staff Talks in Tokyo.
Colonel Leander also led the Philippine Army delegation in rendering a courtesy call on JGSDF Chief of Staff General Yoshihide Yoshida on Sept. 27.