MANILA, Philippines. Defense Forces Planners from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, MGen Jeffrey Hechanova, Japan Self-Defense Forces RAdm Hiroshi Egawa and United States Indo-Pacific Command BGen Jennifer Short met last July 13 for the Trilateral Joint Staff Talks (TJST). Said engagement aims to strengthen the trilateral security partnerships of the Philippines, Japan and the US.
During the meeting, leaders from each country expressed their concerns about gray zone activities, particularly at the East and South China Seas, impact of climate change and natural disasters, and discussed ways to promote and uphold the values of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
Discussions also focused on ways to operationalize the Philippines, Japan, and the United States' trilateral security partnerships, as well as improve interoperability and mutual trust in order to collectively promote peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Leaders likewise reaffirmed their shared commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight in the East and South China Seas, as well as a rules-based approach to resolving competing claims in maritime areas within the framework of international law, specifically the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The next round of TJST will be held in Japan next year.
(Photo by OJ5)
