Department of National Defense (DND) Officer in Charge Jose Faustino Jr. met and discussed regional and bilateral issues with his counterparts from Japan and Australia while on official visit to Hawaii.
Faustino was in Hawaii last week through the official invitation of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, which was timed with the annual meeting of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board.
Top Filipino and American military and security officials attended the twin meetings.
At the sidelines of his visit in Hawaii, Faustino met with Japan’s Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada
where their discussions revolved around the current security developments in the region, particularly the situation in the South and East China Seas.
Both also discussed ways to strengthen Philippines-Japan bilateral defense cooperation through possible conduct of maritime cooperative activities, technology transfers and dialogues at all levels in order to address shared security challenges and advance cooperation.
Likewise, Faustino and Hamada discussed other frameworks of cooperation that would further expand and deepen Philippines-Japan bilateral relations and support each country’s efforts in ensuring a secure and stable environment.
The two emphasized the meeting was timely and an important follow-on engagement from the meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on September 21.
In another meeting, Faustino also met with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles where they exchanged views on the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region.
They also explored ways to strengthen Philippines-Australia bilateral defense relations through maritime cooperation activities, counter-terrorism trainings, and education and professionalization opportunities.