CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City— The Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (VCSAFP), LtGen Jimmy D Larida welcomed LtGen Matsunaga Koji, Vice Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) in a courtesy visit today, here, underscoring shared efforts to enhance regional peace and security through deeper defense cooperation.
During the meeting, both leaders expressed appreciation for the significant progress in bilateral military ties. The dialogue centered on ways to further strengthen strategic defense partnerships, with a focus on potential joint exercises designed to improve interoperability, operational readiness, and mutual understanding between the two nations’ armed forces.
This visit reaffirms the growing defense ties between the Philippines and Japan, anchored on shared values and mutual interests. The evolving AFP–JSDF cooperation stands as a pillar of peace, security, and stability across the Indo-Pacific region.
Photo by A1C Castro / PAOAFP
