CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City—The first Philippines-United States-Japan-Australia Joint Service Staff Talks was held in Tokyo, Japan from November 28 to December 1 to further deepen discussion on upholding a rules-based international order.
AVM Mike Kitcher, Deputy Chief Joint Operations Australian Defense Forces; MGen Nobutaka Minamikawa, Defense Plans and Policy Department, J5, Japan Self-Defence Force; MGen Jay Bargeron, Director for Strategic Planning and Policy Directorate, J5, US Indo-Pacific Command; and BGen Rommel Cordova, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans, AJ5, Armed Forces of the Philippines, led their respective delegates in the discussions that focused on regional issues of common interest and more opportunities to 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 meeting is an offshoot of the Japan-PH-AUS-US Defense Ministerial Meeting held in Singapore last June 3, 2023.
Earlier on November 29, the heads of delegates for the Philippines-United States-Japan-Australia Staff Talks also rendered a courtesy call to General Yoshida Yoshihide, Chief of Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defence Force.
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.
