PH-Japan 'VFA' a 'work in progress', says Romualdez
The proposed Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)-like pact that's purportedly being explored by the governments of the Philippines and Japan is "a work in progress".
Thus, said House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a press briefing Friday night, Feb. 10 with Manila-based reporters in the middle of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s five-day visit to Japan.
"I think that's ongoing. That's ongoing...that's what they call 'a work in progress'. So there's always conversations along those lines. And lines of communications are very, very wide open especially after the visit," Romualdez said.
The Philippines has an existing VFA with the United States (US). It allows US troops access to military bases in the Philippines, as well as facilitates joint military drills between Filipino and American soldiers.
Not much has been mentioned about the supposed planned VFA between Manila and Tokyo, at least by President Marcos.
"I think that’s the general direction," answered Romualdez when asked if security and defense cooperation between the Philippines and Japan would lead to a VFA-like agreement.
"We’re all in the same region and we're all actually experiencing the same issues and concerns and the President always says he knows...he always works multilaterally but that's not without exception to having bilateral agreements, for instance, Philippines and Japan that would somehow effect like a trilateral agreement," he noted.
"That is existing, you know, with the US or, you know, with other countries. So you don't necessarily have to just be the Philippines with the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) but you have to work individual countries," the House leader continued.
Asked about the possibility of Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida discussing a VFA during the former's trip. Romualdez answered: "Yes, it's broad strokes."
"There's a general understanding that that's the direction but it was always, you know, founded and on fact that to usher in an environment of peace and stability. But that's what it's all about, and I guess it's the creation of balance," he said.
"So when it comes to peace, stability, we all know that kailangan talaga (these are necessary), these security arrangements because this stability in the region promote prosperity, and that's the bedrock of any strong economy," the solon from Leyte further commented.