Philippines, Japan in talks for joint military exercise: Navy officials

Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News

<div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/29/20190129_navy_01.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/29/20190129_navy_02.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/29/20190129_navy_03.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/29/20190129_navy_04.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/29/20190129_navy_05.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/29/20190129_navy_06.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/29/20190129_navy_07.jpg"/></div><div><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/01/29/20190129_navy_08.jpg"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><p>The Japanese Navy destroyer Ikazuchi docks at the Manila port, Jan. 29, 2019. <cite>ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>The Japanese Navy destroyer Ikazuchi docks at the Manila port, Jan. 29, 2019. <cite>ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>The Japanese Navy destroyer Ikazuchi docks at the Manila port, Jan. 29, 2019. <cite>ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>The Japanese Navy destroyer Ikazuchi docks at the Manila port, Jan. 29, 2019. <cite>ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>The Japanese Navy destroyer Ikazuchi docks at the Manila port, Jan. 29, 2019. <cite>ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>The Japanese Navy destroyer Ikazuchi docks at the Manila port, Jan. 29, 2019. <cite>ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>The Japanese Navy destroyer Ikazuchi docks at the Manila port, Jan. 29, 2019. <cite>ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>The Japanese Navy destroyer Ikazuchi docks at the Manila port, Jan. 29, 2019. <cite>ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div></div></div><p>MANILA - Manila and Tokyo are mulling joint naval exercises in a bid to boost defense ties and enhance regional stability, military officials said Tuesday, as a Japanese destroyer docked in the Philippine capital. </p><p>Once at war, the 2 Pacific nations are looking to take their bilateral relationship &quot;to the next level,” said Capt. Mardonio Navarro of the Philippine Navy.<br/> <br/>A joint military exercise will improve ties and &quot;contribute to the regional stability,&quot; added Capt. Ryoko Azuma, commander of the Japanese Escort Division One. </p><p>Azuma led the contingent that brought Japanese destroyer JS Ikazuchi to Manila on a 3-day goodwill visit, which includes a coordination meeting with the Philippine military. </p><p>Both the Philippines and Japan are locked in maritime disputes with China. </p><p>Beijing and Tokyo claim ownership of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea, known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. </p><p>China also claims most of the South China and has built bases on reefs and shoals it reclaimed despite partial claims by the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. </p><p>A UN-backed tribunal, acting on a Philippine plea, invalidated Beijing&#x27;s sweeping claims over the strategic waterway that has rich fishing grounds, as well as oil and gas deposits. </p><p>Duterte has, however, set aside the ruling, seeking instead loans and investments from China, as he pivoted away from US, a traditional ally, following the previous American administration&#x27;s criticism of his deadly anti-narcotics drive. </p><p>Japan&#x27;s visit and meetings with the Philippine Navy has nothing to do with China, said Azuma. </p><p>“[We have] no specific message to any nation. Japan is now committed to the vision of freedom and opening of the Pacific,&quot; he said. </p><p>&quot;Japan and Philippines share a core value that emphasized free and open ocean based on rules of international law and freedom of navigation,&quot; he added. </p><p>The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force&#x27;s latest goodwill visit is the first for this year and the eighth since 2016. </p><p>On board the Japanese destroyer are 220 crew members. The ship carries 2 patrol helicopters. </p><p>Philippine and Japanese Navy officials were set to stage pre-coordination meetings and a shipboard tour.</p><p>The Japanese contingent will head back to Japan on Thursday.<br/> <br/><strong>With a report from Reuters</strong></p>

<p>Manila and Tokyo are mulling joint naval exercises in a bid to boost defense ties and enhance regional stability, military officials said Tuesday, as a Japanese destroyer docked in the Philippine capital.</p>

Manila and Tokyo are mulling joint naval exercises in a bid to boost defense ties and enhance regional stability, military officials said Tuesday, as a Japanese destroyer docked in the Philippine capital.

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Philippines, Japan in talks for joint military exercise: Navy officials

Philippines, Japan in talks for joint military exercise: Navy officials

Ron Gagalac,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 29, 2019 03:32 PM PHT

Read More:

Japan

China

diplomacy

defense

security

maritime dispute

South China Sea

East China Sea

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