Japanese Destroyers On Goodwill Visit To RP

Japanese destroyers Umigiri and Hamagiri.

MANILA (Zamboanga Journal / 25 Mar) Two Japanese destroyers, the JDS Umigiri (DD 158) and JDS Hamagiri (DD 155), part of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, are arriving Manila on Monday for a 4-day goodwill visit, the Japanese Embassy said Saturday.

It said the vessels will berth at Pier 13 of the South Harbor on Tuesday at 9 a.m. and will depart for Japan on Friday morning.

About 420 officers and crew members are on board the ships, including 42 newly commissioned officers, under the command of Captain Masashi Sato.

Sato's group is also scheduled to meet with Filipino security ans government officials for a courtesy call and then hold friendly sports activities with their Philippine counterparts.

Japan is a key ally of Manila and top aid donor to Mindanao.