PH, Japan Navies Deepen Security Ties in Tokyo Meet
TOKYO, Japan – The Philippine and Japanese navies reaffirmed their commitment to enhanced security cooperation during high-level meetings in japan this week, a move spurred by increasing regional tensions in the west Philippine Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific. Rear Adm. Joe anthony Orbe, commander of the Philippine Fleet, led a delegation to Tokyo and Yokosuka for engagements with the Japan Self-Defense Fleet (JSDF) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
The meetings, culminating on November 20th with a meeting between Orbe and JSDF Commander Vice Adm. Katsushi Omachi in Yokosuka, highlighted the “growing frequency” of joint maritime patrols, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief (HADR) drills. This increased collaboration is considerably bolstered by the recently enacted Philippines-japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which streamlines interoperability through shared exercises, logistics, and troop access.
During the visit, the Philippine delegation toured the JS Kumano, a next-generation frigate representing JapanS expanding defense capabilities. On November 21st, Orbe met with JMSDF Chief of Staff Adm. Akira Saito in Tokyo, who expressed support for Manila’s deepening security ties and emphasized the importance of collaboration to maintain a “free and open Indo-pacific.”
The strengthened partnership comes as the Philippines experiences escalating encounters within its exclusive economic zone, including incidents involving Chinese water cannons and maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea.The meetings underscore the Philippine Fleet’s strategy of forging closer relationships with like-minded nations to address evolving security challenges in the region. (Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
