Philippines, Japan military commanders discuss ‘pressing’ security matters

December 21, 2023 - 6:53 PM
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Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visits the BRP Teresa Magbanua ship at the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters in Manila, Philippines, November 4, 2023. (Ezra Acayan/Pool via Reuters)

 The Philippines on Thursday said its military chief and Japan’s top general discussed “pressing regional security matters,” including the importance of countering aggression in the South China sea.

Japan’s Yoshihide Yoshida also conveyed Tokyo’s support for a 2016 arbitral ruling that went in favor of the Philippines in a case against China and expressed strong opposition to actions that alter the status quo, the statement said.

— Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty