Japanese ships’ PH visit highlights commitment to regional peace

ANILA -- The port visit of Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Escort Flotilla Four to the Philippines from Sept. 1 to 5 highlights the commitment of both nations in preserving regional peace and stability.

M"It is a demonstration of fostering commitment and cooperation between the two nations which contributes to regional peace and stability," said Commodore Jonathan Zata, Navy spokesperson, during the ships' arrival at Alava Wharf, SBMA, Olongapo City, Zambales Saturday morning.

The visiting Japanese ships are the helicopter carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184) with five embarked SH-60K patrol helicopters, an Akizuki-class destroyer JS Suzutsuki (DD-117), and a Murasame-class destroyer JS Inazuma (DD-105).

Around 850 officers and crew compose the visiting Japanese delegation headed by flotilla commander, Rear Admiral Tatsuya Fukuda, Capt. Hideki Mizuta, of JS Kaga, Cmdr. Yuki Ochimizu, of JS Inazuma and, and Cmdr. Takeo Kinuyama, commanding JS Suzutsuki. Commodore Antonio C. Falces, Sealift Amphibious Force commander, welcomed the Japanese flotilla and said both the PN and JMSDF "share strategic partnership and common interest of a peaceful and stable region and rulesbased approach to international engagements and resolution to conflict."

Meanwhile, Fukuda said the flotilla's deployment "is intended to improve operational capability and promote interoperability and cooperation with partner navies, while contributing to peace and stability in the indo-Pacific region."

President Rodrigo Duterte arrived and toured the JS Kaga on Saturday afternoon.

The presidential assistant congratulated members of Candidate Soldier Class 5322018 at 2DTS View Deck, Camp General Mateo Capinpin in Tanay Rizal.

In his speech at the closing ceremony, Go said the government will continue to address the pressing needs of the military.

“Sinisigurado ng kasalukuyang administrasyon na pinamumunuan ng ating Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang inyong kapakanan. Bilang inyong Kuya Bong, masasabi kong mas mapapangalagaan kayo sa pamamagitan ng pagtaas ng inyong sweldo at pag-momodernisa ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (The current administration under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ensures your welfare. As your Big Brother Bong, I am telling you that we will take care of you by increasing your salaries and modernizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines),” he said.

The 240 candidate soldiers -- 234 males and six females -- are aspiring to be members of the Philippine Army. They finished 16 weeks of physical, mental, and emotional training.

After their graduation, the candidate soldiers will be deployed to Mindanao, Region IV-A (Calabarzon), or Region IV-B (Mimaropa).

In a media interview, Go said the aspiring soldiers will be eligible for the increased base pay that the Duterte administration had set for the AFP.

“Ang tinutukoy ko pong increase ay ang base pay nila. It used to be around, P14,000 something, ngayon P29,000 na. ‘Yung entry position po nila ay dinoble effective po January of 2018 (The increase I was referring to is in their base pay. It used to be around, P14,000, but now it is P29,000. Their entry position salary has been doubled effective January of 2018),” he said.

Go also noted that the modernization for the military is ongoing.

“Nasa third horizon na tayo ng modernization at tinitingnan ng ating SND iyong mga prioridad like itong mga dual purpose na mga equipment para sa external defense ng ating Armed Forces, ng Air Force, ng Navy and Army (We are already in the third horizon of the modernization and the SND [Secretary of National Defense] is currently looking into the priorities, like the dual purpose equipment for the external defense of the Armed Forces, Air Force, Navy, and Army),” he said.

He also said one of President Duterte’s agenda in his official visit to Israel is to look for military equipment that could be purchased for the AFP.