Alava Pier, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Olongapo City, Zambales
June 4, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited the helicopter carrier JS IZUMO (DDH-183) of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Escort Flotilla One at Subic Bay Port in Olongapo City, Zambales.

The President, accompanied by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, was received by Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa, Japan’s Special Adviser to the Prime Minister Katsuyuki Kawai, Escort Flotilla One Commander Rear Admiral Yoshihiro Goka, and members of the Japanese Navy. He conducted a shipboard tour and inspection of the helicopter carrier’s stations.

According to Mr. Kawai, President Duterte was the first head of state from a foreign country to visit the JS IZUMO. He added that his visit embodies a meaningful part on the bilateral relationship between the Philippines and Japan.

“Japan has been a very helpful friend. Our ties with Japan is historical and I know that we will be with them for all times. They can count on our gratitude for helping us, and also our friendship to fight with them,” President Duterte said.

JS IZUMO, together with a guided missile destroyer JS SAZANAMI (DDG-113), docked at the Subic Bay Port for a four-day goodwill visit to the Philippines from June 4 to June 8, 2017. According to the Naval Public Affairs Office, this four-day visit will include confidence building engagements between the JMSDF and the Philippine Navy (PN). It aims to further strengthen relationship between the PN and JMSDF, and to boost the promotion of maritime cooperation, stability and peace between Japan and the Philippines by means of naval diplomacy and friendship.

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