Marcos to review defense accord with U.S., Japan

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the Philippines will review a tripartite agreement with its two close allies, the United States and Japan, in an effort of fostering alliances with its long-time partners.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

In an interview with Kyodo News during his recent visit to Japan, Marcos said: “It is something that we certainly are going to be studying upon my return to the Philippines. I think just part of the continuing process of strengthening our alliances because in this rather confusing, and I dare say dangerous situations, that we have, I’m not talking only about the South China Sea, I’m not only talking about the Indo-Pacific region but, of course, there is a conflict still ongoing in Ukraine and the rather disturbing effects that it has all around the world.”

He said the accord is part of a continuing and ongoing process to make more solid partnerships and alliances that we are beginning to put together in our areas.

“So that is, I think, a central element to…providing some sort of stability in the face of all these problems that we are seeing around us,” Marcos said.

Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed to bolster Manila and Tokyo’s defense and security relations. The two Asian leaders resolved to increase the defense capabilities of their own countries, and further strengthen overall security cooperation.

This will be done through strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, transfer of more defense equipment and technology, continuous cooperation on previously-transferred defense equipment, and capacity building.

Kishida explained the “National Security Strategy” and other documents, and Marcos welcomed Japan’s commitment to a free and open rules-based international order. The two leaders concurred to materialize the security and defense cooperation through bilateral consultations including the Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting.

The two leaders also welcomed the signing of the terms of reference concerning the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in the Philippines, and concurred to continue to consider ways including additional frameworks to enhance and facilitate joint exercises and others between the two countries.

Marcos and Kishida agreed to advance consideration to promote cooperation in defense equipment and technology as well as trilateral cooperation among Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines. They also shared the view to further advance cooperation in economic security, cyber security and among others.

Japan made global headlines in December with its new National Security Strategy, which dropped the country’s post-World War II pacifist posture to call for counterstrike capabilities, the Foreign Policy reported.

It will double its military spending in the next five years, citing threats posed by China and North Korea, and will acquire the ability to strike enemy bases. The changes mark the most dramatic overhaul to Japan's security strategy since it adopted a pacifist constitution after World War II.

Under the plan, Tokyo will buy US long-range missiles capable of destroying enemy launch sites if it is attacked, according to BBC.

More loans

Marcos arrived back home on February 12 and trumpeted his “fruitful” working trip to Japan, sealing $13 billion worth of agreements set to yield thousands of jobs for Filipinos.

“Coming back, we carry with us over $13 billion or P708.2B in contribution and pledges to benefit our people, or create approximately 24,000 jobs and further solidify the foundations of our economic environment,” the President said.

Marcos said Japan pledged to provide development loans for the North South Commuter Railway for Malolos-Tutuban and the North South Commuter Railway Project Extension totaling JPY377 billion, which is about $3 billion.

He said the completion of these projects, along with other ongoing large-scale Official Development Assistance projects such as the Metro Manila Subway Project and many more across the country, is expected to translate to better lives for Filipinos through improved facilitation of the movement of people, goods and services.

The President also cited his meeting with Kishida, which he described as something “bound by shared values and common aspirations for our peoples.”

“We committed to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan and mapped out a transformative, future-oriented partnership that is responsive to new developments,” he said.

Marcos said he also had the honor of having an audience with Their Majesties, The Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. The President said he was able to reaffirm his commitment to enhancing the close friendship and cultural ties between Filipinos and the Japanese people. (Mindanao Examiner)