Philippines, US, Japan boost maritime security ties

MANILA, Philippines — Boosting cooperation in promoting maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, the Philippines joined Japan and the United States in trilateral talks through their respective top military chiefs.

Gen. Andres Centino, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff; Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff of the Japan Joint Staff (JJS); and Adm. John Aquilino, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) met last Saturday for the fourth AFP-JJS-USINDOPACOM Trilateral Leaders’ Engagement on the margins of the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ 20th Asia Security Summit, also known as the “Shangri-La Dialogue.”

Organized by Centino and the Philippines, the meeting focused on the leaders’ shared perspective on regional issues and enhanced collaboration among the Philippines, Japan and the US with trilateral opportunities at their disposal.

Aquilino reaffirmed the USINDOPACOM commitment to expanding cooperation between the US and its allies to address regional security issues, deter unlawful maritime activities, and support the use of international law to resolve disputes in the Indo-Pacific region.

The leaders also looked into the importance of expanding multilateral activities and the significant potential for enhancing Philippines-Japan-US cooperation.

“They also reiterated the importance of increasing defense capabilities and mutual security cooperation to the benefit of all Pacific nations,” a USINDOPACOM statement read.

“This engagement is another demonstration of the strength of our alliances which underpin the security of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” it added.

Last Friday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III met with Southeast Asia defense ministers from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste in Singapore to exchange views and discuss priorities for expanding cooperation in support of regional stability, security and prosperity.

All these countries being part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Austin emphasized the vital role the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus continues to play in driving multilateral cooperation to address regional challenges.

Southeast Asian defense ministers and heads of delegations reaffirmed their support for US cooperative activities in the region, including in key forums such as the ADMM-Plus.

Austin also highlighted ongoing US support to regional maritime security initiatives, including through the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security, expanded US Coast Guard regional maritime law enforcement programs, the US Maritime Security Initiative, and the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness initiative.