PH, Japan to foster stronger defense ties
Published Jun 19, 2023 08:55 am
The Philippines and Japan are seeking to establish a more solid defense cooperation particularly in the field of military upgrade and modernization.
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Japanese Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA) Tsuchimoto Hideki and Gen.
*Andres Centino, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). (Photo courtesy of AFP)* This was revealed as Gen. Andres Centino, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), welcomed Japanese Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA) Tsuchimoto Hideki during the latter’s courtesy visit at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, June 19. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines affirmed its support for stronger defense cooperation with Japan during the courtesy visit of Tsuchimoto Hideki, Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Agency (ATLA) of Japan,” said Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto, chief of the AFP public affairs office. During the meeting of the two officials, Centino thanked Tsuchimoto for Tokyo’s assistance to the AFP in implementing its modernization and capability upgrade program. “We are thankful for your help in our modernization and acquisition of new equipment and capability,” the AFP chief said. Back in April, the Japanese government committed to provide additional military equipment to the AFP to improve their capabilities in addressing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. The effort is part of Japan’s official security assistance (OSA) to “like-minded” nations to preserve the peace in the regional waters. Aside from that, the Philippine government is also seeking to establish a military pact with Japan which could be similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States. Centino said the AFP “is excited” to work with the Japanese government to further improve both countries’ security and defense relations “in view of present challenges.” Meanwhile, Tsuchimoto relayed Japan’s willingness to enhance its ties with the Philippines under its new defense and security policies. “Citing new strategic documents, they are also looking for ways to strengthen defense equipment and technology cooperation with other countries including the Philippines to contribute to peace and stability in the region,” Ileto noted.