FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila – The Philippine Army (PA) and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) facilitated a telephone conference to further strengthen the armies’ mutual cooperation here yesterday, August 21, 2020.
Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana and JGSDF Chief of Staff Gen. Goro Yuasa both expressed their desire in maintaining the PA-JGSDF relationship amid the challenges of the pandemic.
Sobejana expressed his gratitude to the JGSDF for Japan’s support in sending experts from the Nagasaki University Medical Staff who provided technical assistance in addressing COVID-19 in the country as well as for donating polymerase chain reaction reagents and equipment to the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. He assured Yuasa that the PA is ready to lend a helping hand to Japan in responding to any disasters and natural calamities, in which according to Yuasa, their region is prone to experience as the country is situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The two chiefs also expressed their intent to bolster future defense cooperation and exchanges of as well as the renewal of the Term of Reference between PA and JGSDF.
“The Philippine Army is geared towards sustaining the PA-JGSDF relations; explore and maximize the alternative means of coordination; and ensure all of the plans are being implemented despite the pandemic. The PA will remain committed in boosting our bilateral relationship with our military counterparts, pursuing a more peaceful and secured region,” Sobejana said. #
#ServingthePeopleSecuringtheLand 陸上自衛隊 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force