Subic Bay Freeport Zone – Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) VESEL, JS SAMIDARE (DD-106), with two SH-60K patrol helicopters and 200 crew onboard berthed here today for a goodwill visit to the Philippines until Sunday, May 19, 2019.
The Japan Navy contingent is led by the Commander of Escort Division Four, Captain Takahiro Nishiyama. In his speech, he stated that the purpose of their visit is to deepen the partnership with the Philippine Navy (PN) through various exchanges and interactions. “ I believe that this visit will make a great contribution to further strengthen relations between our to countries,” Captain Nishiyama added.
The PN delegates headed by Captain Jose B. Petilla Jr., representative of the Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Robert A. Empedrad, accorded the visiting navy a welcome ceremony upon arrival followed by a press briefing and health and security briefing aboard JS SAMIDARE.
This marks the first visit of JS SAMIDARE I the Philippines, In counting, this is the second visit of the JMSDF this year and eighth since 2016.
Similar to their previous visits, there will be a scheduled courtesy call to the Commander, Naval Station, Training and Doctrine Command; pre-coordination meetings; and shipboard tour. A send-off ceremony with customary Passing Exercise (PASSEX) will cap off the Japanese navy’s visit.
The goodwill visit aims to strengthen the relationship between the PN and JMSDF. It targets to further enhance and sustain the promotion of peace, stability, and maritime cooperation of the two countries through naval diplomacy and camaraderie. (Dante M. Salvana)