Japanese warship in Philippines for goodwill visit

MANILA, Philippines — A Japanese destroyer which sailed through the West Philippine Sea is expected to dock at the Port of Manila today for a two-day goodwill visit.

Philippine Navy spokesman Capt. Lued Lincuna yesterday said the Asagiri-class destroyer JS Setogori will be docking at Pier 15, South Harbor at around 7:30 a.m. today.

Aboard the visiting Japanese warship are 220 officers and crew headed by Capt. Susumi Moriyama, commander of the Japan’s Escort Division Seven, and Commander Tokeshi Tonegawa, commanding officer of the JS Setogori.

Setogori last visited the Philippines two years ago. This is the fourth port call within the last five months by Japanese warships of various types.

The increase in goodwill visits is occurring amid the mounting regional security concerns spawned by China’s continuing military build up in the South China Sea.

Aside from anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-surface missiles, China has been reported to have landed a nuclear-capable long range bomber at Woody Island in the Paracel Island Group. 

Close to China’s southern province of Hainan, Woody island is just north of the disputed Spratlys archipelago, where Beijing has already established its naval and air bases on three of its man-made islands.

While Japan is not a party to the maritime dispute in the Spratlys archipelago, it is closely monitoring China’s military activities in the region in relation to its own maritime dispute with China in the Senkaku Island Group in the East China Sea.

Two key areas in the South China Sea that Tokyo is very concerned about are the Chinese activities at Panatag Shoal near Zambales as well as Bashi Channel towards East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

Home ported at Ominato Naval Base, JS Setogori is among key Japanese Self Defense Forces naval assets strategically prepositioned at the northern tip of mainland Japan. 

From the highly-secured Ominato Naval Base, Japan’s warships can sail either towards East China Sea or the Pacific Ocean through a channel opening that connect the two seas.

“The Philippine Navy will render customary welcome ceremony upon arrival of the vessel, to be followed by port briefing on security and health aboard the Japanese destroyer,” Lincuna said.

In a related development, the Philippine Navy is sending, for the first time, two of its vessels to take part in the forthcoming Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the world’s biggest naval and maritime joint exercises scheduled this year.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Robert Empedrada said they have yet to name the two warships that will participate in the exercises.

The annual naval exercise has 27 countries participating. China, however, was disinvited into the joint drill due to its continuing militarization in the South China Sea.

The RIMPAC exercise is spearheaded by the Hawaii-based US Pacific Command.