MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday expressed its condolences to the family and loved ones of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) enlisted personnel who died in a road mishap at the Clark-Subic Expressway.
“The Department of National Defense extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of Sgt. Maehara Suguru who died in a most unfortunate vehicular accident while he was in our country as a member of the JGSDF contingent which is observing ‘Exercise Kamandag’,” Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.
“Kamandag”, which started on Oct. 1 and will end on the Oct. 10, is a counter-terrorism joint military exercise between the Philippines and the US.
Suguru was aboard a vehicle on an administrative mission when it collided with a truck last Oct. 2.
He succumbed to severe head injuries on Sunday.
“The vehicle was driven by a Filipino civilian, while the other passenger was another Japanese soldier. Both were injured in the accident but have been released from hospital,” Andolong said. ( Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)