NATIONAL Security Adviser Eduardo Año yesterday welcomed the commitment of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to enhance security cooperation with the Philippines.
Japan and the Philippines entered into several agreements last Friday in the presence of the visiting Japanese leader and President Marcos Jr, including the start discussions for a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA).
The RAA, which is similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and United States, will allow Filipino and Japanese forces to hold field training exercises.
Japan also agreed to transfer a coastal defense radar system, worth around P235.5 million, which is projected to enhance the Philippine Navy’s maritime domain awareness.
“We express our deep gratitude to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and the Japanese government for their commitment to enhancing the security cooperation between our two nations,” said Año.
Kishida was in the country for a two-day visit. He met with President Marcos, lawmakers, and officials of the Philippine Coast Guard during his visit.
“The announcement of formal negotiations on a reciprocal access agreement and the launch of a new security aid program are significant steps forward in the golden age of our bilateral relations,” said Año.
Año said the RAA that the Philippines and Japan are set discuss “will undoubtedly boost our military cooperation and contribute to regional security.”
“The proposed RAA will facilitate the procedures and set guidelines when Philippine forces visit Japan for trainings and joint exercises, and vice versa,” he said.
On the commitment of Japan to provide coastal surveillance radars and
support, through Japan’s Official Security Assistance program, Año said it “is a testament to their dedication to strengthening the security and deterrence capabilities of partner countries in the Asia-Pacific region.”
“We are honored to be the first beneficiary of this program, which aligns with our efforts to improve our maritime domain awareness capability, maintain regional stability, and protect the rules-based international order,” he said.
Año said the continuing trilateral cooperation among Japan, the Philippines, and the United States “is pivotal in safeguarding the freedom of the seas in the West Philippine Sea and promoting international law.”
“Japan’s support in the form of equipment, technology cooperation, and patrol vessels will further enhance our maritime law enforcement capabilities,” he said.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Japan will finance the acquisition of five more ships for the use of the PCG.
The PCG said Japan has already financed the procurement of 12 ships — 10 44-meter and two 97-meter multi-role vessels (MRRVs).
“On top of the 12 ships already delivered, five additional units of 97-meter MRRVs are intended to be financed by Japan, bringing the total to 17 ships,” the PCG also said.
Meanwhile, Senate minority leader Aquilino Pimentel III said the RAA should also cover exchanges of ideas on how Tokyo deals with its maritime disputes with China and Russia. Japan should also share its knowledge on food production and other non-military matters which will be useful to the Philippines.
“As long as the RAA is clearly defensive, and not really military tactics, if there will exchange of personnel so we can learn from each other… So, we can exchange ideas on how it handles the situation, how they balance it, what are the lessons learned with the countries they have territorial disputes, if the pledges for assistance are realized. So, if that is the purpose of our alliance with Japan, I see no problem with that,” Pimentel told radio dzBB in mixed Filipino and English.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said he is confident the Senate will have more than 16 of the required votes to ratify the RAA.
Under the Constitution, the Senate has the power to ratify a treaty upon the concurrence by at least two thirds votes of all members of the upper chamber.
Zubiri said the Senate will schedule a date so they can tackle the matter upon the resumption of their regular session today. — With Raymond Africa