CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City - An AFP Delegation led by Gen Andres C. Centino PA attended the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) Japan from 14-17 Mar 2023. DSEI Japan is the only large-scale fully integrated defence event that has ever taken place in Japan.
It is where the global defence industry meets the Japanese defence community, supporting the sourcing of the latest equipment and systems, developing international relationships and generating new business opportunities and partnerships between Japan and the world.
For the AFP, the highlight of the event is the High Level Bilateral Talks between the AFP Chief of Staff Gen Andres Centino and Gen Koji Yamazaki, Chief of the Japan Self Defense Forces. The two Chiefs of Defense discussed issues of mutual concern in the areas of maritime cooperation and defense, capability development, and the Proposed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) or a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) which will pave the way for more enhanced training and exercises between the Philippines and Japan. Likewise, Gen Centino had the opportunity to meet Gen Yoshihide Yoshida, Chief of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces and discussed future partnerships and collaboration between the Philippine Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.
The meeting culminated with the traditional exchange of pleasantries and Gen Yamazaki's assurance to Gen Centino of Japan's friendship and assistance on common security issues together with other like-minded countries in promoting a rules-based international order in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. For his part, Gen Centino thanked Gen Yamazaki for the genuine friendship and assistance in the on-going capability development in the AFP and for being one of the country's strongest ally when it comes to security and other economic and developmental activities. (Photo by AFP)
