Japan, Philippines Finalizing Transfer of Destroyer Escorts
Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with Shinjiro Koizumi at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila on May 5.
Photographer: Aaron Favila/AFP/Getty ImagesJapan and the Philippines are finalizing the details of the transfer of Japanese Abukuma-class destroyer escorts, as both countries seek to boost naval cooperation amid maritime territorial disputes with Beijing, the countries’ defense chiefs said.
Working groups are finalizing the details of the transfer, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said Tuesday, alongside Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, adding that Manila is also acquiring domain awareness equipment.