MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri has once again called for the Philippines to seal a bilateral defense and security pact with Japan as he dubbed both nations as “strategic partners.”
Zubiri led a Philippine delegation of senators in a meeting with their counterpart in the National Diet, headed by Japan–Philippine Parliamentarians Friendship League chairman Moriyama Hiroshi, in Tokyo on Tuesday, April 4.
“We are here to show that the Philippines and Japan are more than just friends. We are strategic partners,” Zubiri said, as quoted in a statement.
The Senate leader pointed out that the support of Japan had served as a “major boost” to the country’s defense systems and practices.
Citing shared values, beliefs, and problems, Zubiri then underscored the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation “toward the overall success of our countries and the region.”
“And I am hopeful that we can move forward with the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) as well, as Japan has done with the United Kingdom and Australia,” he said.
The RAA is the Japanese counterpart of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.
Moriyama, according to Zubiri, said the Japanese government is keen on further improving the country’s defense cooperation efforts with other countries.
Zubiri had earlier vowed support for a plan to forge a VFA with Japan “to have close coordination with the movements of our Navy vessels and armed forces.”
READ: Senators push for VFA with Japan
During President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Japan in February, there was no mention of the proposed VFA in his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
But Fumio said Japan was looking forward to improving security cooperation with the Philippines and their common ally, the United States.
READ: No mention of Japan VFA, but Kishida seeks strengthened cooperation with PH, US
Marcos has since said that a VFA with Japan would be beneficial as long as it does not increase the tension already gripping the disputed West Philippine Sea.
Talks on crafting a VFA between the Philippines and Japan are nothing new as they had been discussed in previous administrations, in a bid to boost mutual defense amid rising threats in the Asia-Pacific.
Beyond security, defense
Aside from the proposed defense and security pact between both nations, Zubiri said they had also talked about their Japan-Philippine bilateral relations, particularly in trade and industry, tourism, and disaster management.
The legislator extended appreciation to Japan, not just for granting the country a slew of loans and grants in line with defense, but also for sending assistance to the Philippines following the massive oil spill that started off the coast of Oriental Mindoro over a month ago.
He noted that it was a disaster relief team from Japan – also composed of oil control experts – who were among the first foreign responders that extended help to the Philippines in mitigating the effects of the oil catastrophe.
Zubiri also briefly mentioned inviting the Japanese parliament to send a delegation to the Philippines for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in November, which will be hosted by the Philippine Congress.