Japan’s Self Defense Force ships visit Subic Bay

On June 30th (Sun), JS IZUMO (DDH-183), JS MURASAME (DD-101), and JS AKEBONO (DD-108) arrived on a goodwill visit at the Subic Bay port in the Philippines. All three escort ships comprise Escort Flotilla One, under its commander Rear Admiral Hiroshi Egawa, of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF).

Also on the 30th, RADM Egawa and Ambassador Koji Haneda welcomed Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III aboard the “Izumo.” Both Cabinet Secretaries toured inside the ship including its medical facilities.

Meanwhile, RADM Egawa paid a courtesy call on NETC commander Rear Admiral Allan Ferdinand Valdez Cusi and Philippine Fleet commander Rear Admiral Giovanni Carlo Bacordo.

RADM Egawa said that Japan and the Philippines are important partners in efforts to maintain and strengthen maritime order in the region. He cited the defense cooperation and exchanges between the JMSDF and the Philippine Navy that have been steadily developing through the years. He assured that the JMSDF “will continue to strengthen the cooperation with the Philippine Navy as a very important partner in achieving a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region.”