DND sees stronger cooperation between AFP, Japan counterparts

DND officer-in-charge, Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. (PNA photo by Joey Razon) MANILA - Department of National Defense (DND) officer-in-charge, Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr. said he sees more engagements between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its Japanese counterparts. "We have a very robust defense cooperation with Japan, particularly with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, Japan continues to be an observer in our 'Balikatan" Exercises and just lately we had our 2+2 (Meeting) and a lot of things came out of that, we are trying to come up with terms of reference, umbrella terms of reference where we could participate more particularly on HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster response)," Faustino said in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Thursday. He was referring to the successful Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) between the Philippines and Japan last April. The defense chief also said he earlier met with Japan Parliamentary Vice Defense Minister Tsuyohito Iwamoto where they both reaffirmed the commitment of the two countries to ensuring rules-based international law and rules-based order in the South China Sea and the East China Sea. "Right now I think there will be more engagements as we talked about and the collaboration will continue and I see robust cooperation in the near future with Japan," Faustino said. Meanwhile, Iwamoto noted that the meeting is a manifestation of the two countries' growing bilateral strategic partnership. The Japanese official visited the Philippines last July 17 to 18 where he paid courtesy calls on key Philippine defense and military officials. (PNA) }

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Manila , Philippines , East China Sea , Japan General , Japan , South China Sea , Brunei General , Brunei , Camp Aguinaldo , Quezon City , The Philippines , Japanese , Tsuyohito Iwamoto , Jose Faustino Jr , Armed Forces Of The Philippines , Department Of National Defense , National Defense , Undersecretary Jose Faustino , Armed Forces , Japan Self Defense Forces , Defense Ministerial Meeting , East China , Dnd Officer In Charge , Ndersecretary Jose Faustino Jr Pna Photo By Joey Razon Manila Department Of National Defense Dnd Officer In Charge , Ndersecretary Jose Faustino Jr Said He Sees More Engagements Between The Armed Forces Of Philippines Afp And Its Japanese Counterparts Quot We Havea Very Robust Defense Cooperation With Japan , Articularly With The Japan Self Defense Forces , Apan Continues To Be An Observer In Our 39 Balikatan Quot Exercises And Just Lately We Had 2 Meeting Anda Lot Of Things Came Out That , E Are Trying To Come Up With Terms Of Reference , Mbrella Terms Of Reference Where We Could Participate More Particularly On Hadr Humanitarian Assistance And Disaster Response , Uot Faustino Said Ina Press Briefing At Camp Aguinaldo In Quezon City On Thursday He Was Referring To The Successful Foreign And Defense Ministerial Meeting 2 Between Philippines Japan Last April Chief Also Earlier Met With Parliamentary Vice Minister Tsuyohito Iwamoto Where They Both Reaffirmed Commitment Of Two Countries Ensuring Rules Based International Law Order South China Sea East Quot Right Nowi Think There Will Be More Engagements As We Talked About Collaboration Continue Andi See Robust Cooperation Near Future , Uot Faustino Said Meanwhile , Wamoto Noted That The Meeting Isa Manifestation Of Two Countries 39 Growing Bilateral Strategic Partnership Japanese Official Visited Philippines Last July 17 To 18 Where He Paid Courtesy Calls On Key Philippine Defense And Military Officials Pna ,