Manila, Feb. 20 -- A ranking official of the Department of National Defense (DND) has expressed his appreciation to Japan for its "proactive role" in fostering a free, stable, resilient, and prosperous Indo-Pacific Region.

A statement released Thursday said DND Undersecretary for Strategic Assessment and Planning Ignacio Madriaga made this comment during the recently-concluded 14th Japan-ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Forum (DVMF) held in Fukuoka on Feb. 11.

"Recognizing fundamental shifts in the security environment and the evolving character of security challenges, Undersecretary Madriaga expressed appreciation for Japan's proactive role in fostering a free, stable, resilient, and prosperous region, and reaffirmed the Philippines' com...