Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. welcomes JPPFL Chairperson Hon. Moriyama Hiroshi during his visit to the DND (Photo courtesy: DND)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – The Department of National Defense (DND) welcomed Japan-Philippines Parliamentary Friendship League (JPPFL) delegates on Wednesday, August 2, whose visit aims to build on the good diplomatic relations between the two countries in the furtherance of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) foreign policy initiative.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. received the delegates headed by JPPFL Chairperson Hon. Moriyama Hiroshi together with participants from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
The Japanese Government’s FOIP policy strongly advocates for the establishment of peaceful coexistence among countries in the international community, particularly in recognizing the rule of law as well as their diversity towards a more connected Indo-Pacific region amid the continuously arising geopolitical challenges.
The advancement of the initiative can be achieved by facilitating mutually inclusive dialogues and fostering equal strategic partnerships among concerned nations with a focus on the survival and welfare of people.
It can be recalled that Japan expressed its support to the Philippines for receiving the arbitral award from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) seven (7) years ago as the legal custodian of the West Philippine Sea.
In response, Secretary Teodoro stressed the importance of upholding a rules-based international order to provide for trilateral cooperation and multilateralism which will enable the countries to prosper together and to also have a voice against the threat of expansionism.
He likewise extended his appreciation to the Japanese government for its continued support in enhancing the maritime domain awareness of the Philippines as well as aiding the country’s humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) development.
The Philippines can further look forward to the support of Japan in the sustainable development of the self-reliant defense posture (SRDP) which is a vital program to protect the country from internal and external threats on security.
The foreign partner is expected to contribute to the cross-border investment, project execution, and process management of the SRDP.
In December 2022, Japan launched a new grant called the Official Security Assistance (OSA) and the Philippines was named among the recipients of funding and equipment that could aid in the enhancement of the country’s defense capabilities.
In February 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took home a total of 35 signed agreements during his state visit to Japan. This signifies the strong partnership between the countries towards mutual economic development as well as the attainment of regional peace and stability. (DND/PIA-NCR)
