PH, Japan armies vow mutual support

MANILA -- Ranking officials of the Philippine Army (PA) and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) have expressed the collective need to support each other in responding against unconventional threats.

This came about during the Indo-Pacific Conference 2019 held in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday.

Both PA chief, Lt. Gen. Alberto S. Alberto and JGSDF commander, Gen. Goro Yuasa made this conclusion during the bilateral meeting, Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said in a statement Tuesday.

In the same meeting, both Army chiefs recognized the need for both armies’ support especially in responding to unconventional threats and other security challenges.

Alberto and Yuasa also agreed that the PA and JGSDF must collaborate in answering to future natural disasters and calamities since both countries are within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

“Our national and security threats emerge in different forms and the Philippine Army’s advancement in mutual cooperation with Japan and other forces are vital in preparing the command to continue to serve the people and secure the land,” Zagala added.

The JGSDF chief also mentioned his entity’s desire for Subject Matter Expert exchange for special

operations forces.

Alberto, on the other hand, talked about the multinational engagement on several fields, such as in logistics, that serve as an opportunity for both countries to participate.

The PA chief recalled Japan’s assistance in the Marawi Crisis and extended his gratitude to Yuasa and the JGSDF.

Meanwhile, Yuasa also thanked Alberto for the training exchanges on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response and in the Command and General Staff Course. (PNA)