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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PBBM on possible 'VFA' with Japan: Cooperation is a good thing

PBBM on possible 'VFA' with Japan: Cooperation is a good thing

Published Feb 8, 2023 05:42 pm

TOKYO, Japan — Amid the Philippines’ wish to have a visiting forces agreement (VFA) with Japan, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. thought having cooperation with Tokyo in this area would be a “good thing” as it introduces a new era of the Philippines-Japan ties.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. talks to the media onboard Philippine Airlines flight PR001 on Feb. 8, 2023. Marcos is in Tokyo for a five-day official working visit.

Marcos said this in an interview with the media onboard Philippine Airlines flight PR001 on Wednesday, Feb. 8.

According to the President, there were no formal talks yet about establishing a VFA between Manila and Tokyo. He was also unsure if it would be discussed during Thursday's meeting with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

“Hindi pa talaga namin napag-uusapan formally ‘yan (We haven’t had formal talks about that yet),” he said.

“I don’t know if Prime Minister Kishida will take it up with me on this trip. But, so far, there have not been any formal proposal in that regard,” he added.

Despite this, the President welcomed the idea of establishing a new element in the relationship between the Philippines and Japan that has always revolved around government-to-government dealings and aid or grants.

“These things are ongoing, and I’m sure Japan wants to develop more and make even more robust and closer our relationship, especially in that regard. But that’s a new area,” Marcos said.

“So this is a new element to our relationship because we are now talking about security of the region. So being, of course, all interested in the same things, i.e., security in the region, I think cooperation is not a bad thing,” he added.

Meanwhile, President Marcos recognized Japan’s plan to support the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and implement improvements or rehabilitate Subic so they could have a place in Zambales.

That kind of cooperation has been ongoing. Siguro, sa kanilang palagay (Perhaps they think), the next step is to do the improvements and rehabilitation sa Subic para sa Coast Guard (at Subic for the PCG),” he said.

“Naturally, the reason behind all this is they would like to have more patrols along— up and down the South China Sea para naman (so that) we can assure that the freedom of passage,” he added.

Marcos arrived here in Tokyo on Wednesday evening (Japan time) for his five-day official working visit.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos PH-Japan ties defense visiting forces agreement Trip to Japan President Marcos
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