Japan sending helicopter destroyer to Philippines

From Update.Ph (Apr 8): Japan sending helicopter destroyer to Philippines 

Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH-182) is reportedly visiting the Philippines. The Japanese warship is also set to participate to Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2016 in Indonesia, a Japanese news outlet reports.

This was reported after 2 destroyers and one submarine of JMSDF Destroyer Escort Division 15 and Training Submarine Division 1 made a three-day port visit in Philippines that ended April 6.

“The visit is a manifestation of a sustained promotion of regional peace and stability and enhancement of maritime cooperation between neighboring navies,” Navy spokesman Captain Lued Lincuna said of the recent visit.

Meanwhile, Komodo Exercise 2016 – 2nd iteration since maiden 2014 edition – is a joint naval exercise of between navies of ASEAN and partner countries.

The theme for this year’s Komodo Exercise is “Readiness and Cooperation for Peace”. It will focus on maritime peacekeeping operations scenarios. The biennial exercise will be very special since it will be organized in conjunction with the 15th Western Pacific Naval Symposium and the 2016 International Fleet Review.

Exercise and other supporting events will take place in the city of Padang and the islands of Mentawai, located in West Sumatera on April 12 to 16.

http://www.update.ph/2016/04/japan-sending-helicopter-destroyer-to-philippines/4050