Troops from Japan Ground Self-Defense Force joins PH-US exercise KAMANDAG in October 2022. JGSDF
Senators are keen to endorse a visiting forces agreement (VFA) with erstwhile invader Japan, making it only the third nation with which the country has such an extraordinary agreement, next to the United States and Australia.
鈥淚鈥檓 sure we can muster enough support in the Senate for a visiting forces agreement with Japan. They鈥檙e good partners,鈥� Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said during the Senate plenary鈥檚 marathon budget deliberations on Thursday night.
鈥淚t would be nice if we have a VFA with Japan so we can train with them because 鈥� if there鈥檚 an event of conflict here, remember we are treaty allies with the United States and Japan is also an ally of the United States. We have to have close coordination with the movements of our Navy vessels and armed forces,鈥� the Senate leader said.
鈥淚f there is a plan, we will support it. Remember, the Senate has the last touch on ratification. I think it鈥檚 a good idea,鈥� he added.
Forging a VFA with Japan would not only be helpful in joint training but also during natural disasters, said Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda. 鈥淭his is not just military training but it will also include disaster response and disaster risk reduction.鈥�
鈥楽trong deterrent鈥�
Legarda said senators were also eyeing stronger partnerships with European Union nations, particularly France, which has offered a 鈥渧ery easy payment scheme鈥� over 18 years for two submarines worth P70 billion.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a long shot but the multiplier effect of having submarines can already be a strong deterrent to a whole armada even of that Chinese navy 鈥� It鈥檚 too steep a price to pay but we are fighting for our territorial integrity and our sovereignty,鈥� Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito said.
Earlier this year, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force signed a training agreement with the Philippine Army and Philippine Marine Corps.
Trilateral dialogue
Last week, Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Connor Anthony Canlas also went to Tokyo to meet with officials of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and discuss a separate 鈥渢erms of reference鈥� that would set the policy for future bilateral activities.
The Philippines will host a three-day trilateral maritime security dialogue with Japan and the United States later this month, which will be attended by maritime security officials and experts, the Inquirer learned.
China鈥檚 force buildup in the region and opportunities for trilateral coordination and cooperation will be among the key topics in the agenda. INQ
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