Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 1) — Military officials from the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Australia hold their first joint service staff talks from Nov.28 to Dec.1 in Tokyo.
In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that the meeting aims to “further deepen discussion on upholding a rules-based international order.”
Among those who attended were the following:
-Australian Defense Forces’ Deputy Chief Joint Operations AVM Mike Kitcher
-Japan Self-Defense Forces’ Major Gen. Nobutaka Minamikawa of the Defense Plans and Policy Department
-US Indo-Pacific Command’s Director for Strategic Planning and Policy Major General Jay Bargeron
-AFP Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, AJ5 Brigadier Gen. Rommel Cordova
The AFP said the discussion of the four officials focused on regional issues of common interest and opportunities to further expand cooperation.
“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,” the AFP added.
“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.”
The joint talks stemmed from the Japan-Philippines-Australia-US Defense Ministerial Meeting held in Singapore last June 3.
The Philippines and Australia earlier held a maritime cooperative activity as part of the two nations’ strategic partnership.
Japan and the Philippines are also in talks for a reciprocal access agreement, which would allow troops from one country to freely visit the other temporarily.
