PBBM says both nations want to assure free passage in S. China Sea
Tokyo—Security and defense cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region—including more patrols in the South China Sea—will be the key issues during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s five-day visit here as Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Philippines and Japan are “very close” to forging a pact similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement.
Mr. Marcos who deplaned at Haneda International Airport at 5:35 p.m. yesterday, said security is “a new element” in the relationship between Manila and Tokyo.
Galvez, who arrived in Japan along with the official delegation of Mr. Marcos, said “malapit na” (very close) in an ambush interview on the possibility of the military agreement.
Mr. Marcos, however, said there has been no formal discussion yet on the possible VFA equivalent.
“We haven’t formally discussed that,” the President said. “I don’t know if (Japanese) Prime Minister (Fumio) Kishida will take it up with me on this trip. But, so far, there have not been any formal proposals in that regard.”
A Visiting Forces Agreement paves the way for foreign troops to have wider access to military bases in the Philippines and to hold joint military drills and exercises with Filipino soldiers, as the United States has with the PH.
Mr. Marcos said Japan is supporting the improvements in the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) apart from donating patrol vessels because it wants to assure free passage for ships in the South China Sea.
“Probably in their view, the next step is to do the improvements and rehabilitation of Subic Port for the Coast Guard, because, naturally, the reason behind all this is that they would like to have more patrols along and down the South China Sea so we can assure freedom of passage,” he said.
“That is a new area because our dealings with Japan has always been G2G (government to government), JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) aid grant level, and of course the commercial side. So, this is a new element in our relationship because we are now talking about the security of the region. We of course are interested in the same thing, eyeing security in the region. I think cooperation is not a bad thing,” the President added.
Mr. Marcos’ Japan visit, his ninth official overseas trip since he assumed office, came on the heels of the decision by Manila and Washington to designate four new sites in the Philippines under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).
In his pre-departure speech in Manila, the Chief Executive said his visit is part of a larger foreign policy agenda to forge closer political ties, stronger defense and security cooperation, and lasting economic partnerships with major countries in the region.
Mr. Marcos will be in Japan until February 12, where his series of activities include a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Kishida.
The President and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos will also be given an Imperial audience with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace.
While in Tokyo, Mr. Marcos will work on the further strengthening of “the bonds of friendship with a close neighbor, like-minded and future-oriented like us in many ways and a most reliable partner in times of both crises and prosperity,” he said in a pre-departure speech at Villamor Air Base in Pasay.
The President and Kishida are set to sign seven key bilateral deals in the areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, infrastructure, agriculture, and digital cooperation.
Mr. Marcos will also hold meetings with Japan’s business leaders to promote trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines.
“In these meetings, I will be joined by my economic team and key private sector representatives who have been and will continue to be our partners in growing the Philippine economy,” the President said.
Mr. Marcos will also deliver a keynote address during the Philippine Business Opportunity seminar to be attended by “hundreds of top Japanese businessmen.”
The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo earlier said President Marcos’ working trip to Japan is seen to generate P150 billion in investment pledges that can result in the employment of some 8,000 Filipinos.
Japan has been a major bilateral trade and official development partner, consistent in its commitment to uphold the same values aligned with Manila’s economic and development priorities.