The Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Marine Corps (PMC), and the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) commenced the 6th PA-PMC-JGSDF Staff Talks in Tokyo, Japan from September 27 to September 28, 2022.
The Staff Talks, which will be hosted by the three parties in rotation, aim to develop annual and medium-term activities that will enhance capabilities and sustain trilateral relations.
Philippine Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans Colonel Benjamin L. Leander, PMC Chief of Staff Colonel Larry C. Batalla, and Colonel Oku Kazumasa of the JGSDF led the Staff Talks in Tokyo. Colonel Leander also led the Philippine Army delegation in rendering a courtesy call on JGSDF Chief of Staff General Yoshihide Yoshida on September 27, 2022.
It can be recalled that Commanding General, Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr., and Brig. Gen. Raul Jesus L. Caldez, PMC Acting Commandant, signed the trilateral TOR with JGSDF Chief of Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide during the 6th iteration of the PA-PMC-JGSDF "Strategic Guidance on Cooperation” on July 27, 2022.
The updated TOR laid the groundwork for engagements among PA, PMC, and JGSDF, which includes Japan’s Marine Unit. The TOR is geared at enhancing defense cooperation between the two countries and strengthening cooperation against emerging threats in new domains, among others. PA and the JGSDF signed an earlier TOR more than seven years ago. JGDSF is one of the key partners of PA in beefing up its disaster-response capabilities.
Photos from the Office of the International Military Affairs, Philippine Army
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