By Adrian H. Halili, A reporter
The Philippines and Japan on Thursday signed an agreement that will allow access to defense equipment and services during joint military exercises and training, as both countries seek to deepen defense ties amid tensions in the South China Sea.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi signed an Agreement on Acquisitions and Various Activities following a bilateral meeting. The agreement allows allied nations to exchange items such as fuel, food, and ammunition, as well as services essential for joint military exercises, training, and disaster relief operations.
The delegates also signed an agreement that provides Manila with P341 million or 900 million Japanese yen in Official Security Assistance to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization.
“Japan is an important strategic partner of the Philippines, and our relationship will continue to be bound by the shared values of democracy, respect for the rule of law, and commitment to peace, stability and prosperity in our region,” Ms. Lazaro said in a press conference.
In 2024, Manila and Tokyo signed an equal access agreement aimed at facilitating the implementation of joint operations, such as joint exercises and disaster relief, by facilitating the entry of equipment and troops into each other’s soil. It started working last September.
The Philippine-Japan access agreement is the first of its kind to be signed by Japan in Asia and coincides with increased Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s expansive claims clash with other Southeast Asian countries.
“The signing of these agreements demonstrates the close and developing cooperation between the Philippines and Japan under our Strengthened Strategic Partnership, and supports continued cooperation in all key areas of the relationship,” he added.
Ms. Lazaro said that both countries reiterated their commitment to adhere to the rules governed by international law during their previous bilateral meeting.
“We reiterated the shared commitment of the Philippines and Japan to support a rules-based order governed by international law, and the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and through dialogue,” he added.
He said both countries also expressed the need to promote the rule of law, including freedom of navigation and overflight, in the South China Sea.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi added that Tokyo wants to deepen its defense cooperation with Manila.
“I am determined to deepen the Japan-Philippines relationship even further in realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said.
Mr. Motegi added that both countries also agreed to continue to oppose any unilateral efforts to change the situation by force or force in the disputed waterway.
“The Secretary and I reaffirmed the importance of Japan-Philippines-US cooperation despite its increasingly strategic nature,” he said.
Manila actively sought close defense relations with countries outside of its traditional partners, such as the US, Japan, and Australia, building security relations with the United Kingdom, Canada, and France to push back against China in the South China Sea.
Relations between Manila and Beijing have soured in recent years over their claims to the disputed waterway that handles billions of dollars in annual maritime trade each year.
Meanwhile, Ms. Lazaro said the meeting focused on their trade and investment cooperation, infrastructure development through Official Development Assistance, economic security, agriculture, supply chain protection, semiconductors, and the Luzon Economic Corridor.
Both countries signed an agreement that provides a grant for the establishment of wireless broadband connections in Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and Basilan, amounting to P617 million or 1.63 billion yen. This will allow better communication and digital access to the area.
They also agreed to continue working on improving the connectivity of the National Capital Region through the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North-South Commuter Railway Project, as well as flood control and disaster management, according to the reading of the meeting.
Mr. Motegi also stressed that Manila has quickly changed its supply chain amid growing concerns over exports of precious minerals.
“The two ministers then confirmed the need to deepen cooperation in the field of economic security,” the study said.
Both countries want to continue their cooperation in nuclear energy under the Asia Zero Emission Community, a regional framework for cooperation in achieving net-zero emissions by balancing carbon emissions, economic growth, and energy security.
