By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
Japan’s State Minister of Defense ONIKI Makoto visited the Philippines and spent 3 days from April 28 to 30 and discussed bilateral defense cooperation with the Philippines.
During his visit, Defense Minister Oniki visited the Philippine Naval Base Heracreo Alano, led the wreath Laying Ceremony at the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Hero’s Cemetery and paid a courtesy call to Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
In his visit to the Philippine Naval Base, Minister Oniki was briefed on the current use of TC-90s aircraft that Japan gave to the Philippines.
In his meeting with Defense Secretary Teodoro at the Department of Defense, Defense Minister Oniki confirmed that both countries would further deepen bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges, which have been more active than the previous year.
“Balikatan Exercise” observation, visit to the Philippine Army
Mindful of the ongoing U.S.-Philippines bilateral exercise called “Balikatan Exercise”, the Japanese defense Minister observed the maritime exercise and assessed how Japan could further help the Philippines in its defense capacity building.
Minister Oniki also attended the Acceptance, Turnover and Blessing Ceremony of a mobile air surveillance radar system and underscored that the mobile air surveillance radar system can contribute to the peace and stability of the Philippines as well as the Indo-Pacific region, and hopes for the resolution of further development of the bilateral relationship with the Philippines.
Lastly, the visit to the 525th Engineer Combat Battalion of the Philippine Army has provided Minister Oniki about the development within the unit and also received appreciation from the Philippines for Japan’s unending capacity building.