Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is further strengthening its relations with its counterparts from the United States, Japan, and Australia to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.
This, as ranking military officials from the four countries attended the first-ever Philippines-United States-Japan-Australia Joint Service Staff Talks in Tokyo from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1.
The four-day meeting “focused on regional issues of common interest and more opportunities to expand cooperation”, said Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP public affairs office.
“The AFP’s participation here is another demonstration of its commitment to its alliance and partnership with like-minded nations, particularly in protecting Philippine defense and security interests in the Indo-Pacific region,” he stated.
The delegates from the four countries were led by Brig. Gen. Rommel Cordova, AFP Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans; Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron, US Indo-Pacific Command (Indo-PACOM) Director for Strategic Planning and Policy Directorate; Maj. Gen. Nobutaka Minamikawa, Defense Plans and Policy Department, J5, Japan Self-Defence Force (JSDF); and Air Vice-Marshal Mike Kitcher, Australian Defense Forces (ADF) Deputy Chief Joint Operations.
Trinidad said the meeting was an offshoot of the Japan-PH-AUS-US Defense Ministerial Meeting held in Singapore last June 3.
“They also reaffirmed a shared vision for a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ and a collective effort to ensure that the vision continues to thrive,” he added, referring to the strategy of like-minded countries with similar interests in the region to establish a rules-based international order and consolidate principles such as free trade, freedom of navigation, and the rule of law.
The high-level meeting followed maritime cooperative activities (MCA) held by the Philippines with US and Australia last week, which were highlighted by joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid China’s presence. — Martin Sadongdong
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