Japanese warship arrives in Manila for goodwill visit

MANILA, Jan 29, 2019, ABS-CBN News. A warship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force docked at Manila’s South Harbor on Tuesday morning for a three-day goodwill visit, reported the Philippine Star.

Murasame-Class destroyer JS Ikazuchi arrived in Manila along with 220 officers and crew members and two SH-60K patrol helicopters, according to a report from ABS-CBN News.

This would be the first visit of a Japanese Navy vessel in the country for this year and the eighth since 2016. This is also the first time of the Ikazuchi to visit the Philippines.

The Philippine Navy said the Japanese warship’s visit seeks to strengthen the relationship between the two navies, as well as to promote peace, stability and maritime cooperation between Manila and Tokyo.

Crew members of the Ikazuchi are scheduled to hold a courtesy call with Philippine Navy officials.

Last year, at least four Japanese Navy ships visited the Philippines — JS Amagiri in February, JS Akizuki and JS Osumi in April and JS Setogori in May.

Patricia Lourdes Viray