Japanese soldier dies in road mishap
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — A Japanese soldier was killed in a road accident on Tuesday last week while military exercises among US, Philippine and Japanese troops were being held.
Sgt. Suguru Maehara, 38, of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces (GSDF) was in a van delivering food to participants of the military exercises when the vehicle collided with a truck.
Maehara suffered head injuries.
“It is the first time that a Japanese soldier died during an overseas drill,”the GSDF said.
The Filipino driver and another Japanese soldier were injured. They had been released from the hospital.
Dubbed Kaagapay ng Mandirigmang Dagat or Kamandag 2018, the 10-day counter-terrorism exercises, which started on Oct. 1, are being held in various areas in Luzon.
It was the first time that Japanese armored military vehicles were used in military exercises in a foreign country. However, Japan is not involved in the combat component of the exercises.
The Department of National Defense expressed condolences to the family and friends of the Japanese soldier. – Michael Punongbayan
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