Manila, March 21 -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Thursday expressed the country's support for the Japan Self-Defense Forces' (JSDF) initiatives to prevent any attempt to destabilize peace and security in the East and South China Sea.

"Secretary Teodoro conveyed the Philippines' full support to initiatives of the JSDF to deter any attempt to destabilize peace and security over the East China Sea and South China Sea," DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said in a statement.

Teodoro, in his meeting with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) chief of staff, Admiral Saito Akira, during the latter's courtesy call on March 19.

Teodoro also highlighted the importance of strategic ...