VFA with Japan, South Korea to be beneficial for PH, says Army chief

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Army commander Romeo Brawner Jr. on Wednesday said he supports the proposed visiting forces agreement (VFA) with Japan, South Korea, and other partners and allies.

Brawner said the partnership with the said countries will be mutually beneficial.

“Well, this is not the stand of the Philippine Army but my personal stand. I believe this would be beneficial for our country if we allow more of our partners and our allies to come into the country to train with us — not really to stay here and build bases — but more so we could train with them,” Brawner said in a press conference in Fort Bonifacio in Quezon City.

The Army chief noted the importance of interoperability of the country’s armies with each other, saying it is now the trend with armed forces worldwide.

“Nowadays the trend of the armed forces around the world is really to be able to operate with other armies.

“The interoperability is very important because if we look at the conflicts that are happening around the world — for instance, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine — interoperability is very important,” he also said.

The step towards more developed interoperability, he also said, starts with training.

“It has to start with training,” he said.

“That’s why if we can be allowed to train with other partners like South Korea, Australia, Japan, and even other partners in Asean, it would be more beneficial not just for the Philippine government but not only for the Armed Forces of the Philippines but also — I believe — also for their armed forces. It would be mutually beneficial,” he added.

Brawner made the reaction to the suggestion of Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who said the country should bolster its defense and security cooperation not only with Japan but with other countries like Canada, New Zealand, and South Korea.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was receptive to having a VFA with Japan.

je/abc

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To date, the Philippines has an existing VFA with the United States and Australia.

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