TOKYO, JAPAN – A visiting forces agreement between Japan and the Philippines remains out of sight for now as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said no proposal by the Japanese government has been so far made to him.
“We haven’t really discussed that formally yet,” Marcos told reporters when asked if he is keen on urging the Japanese government to ink an agreement that would allow Japanese military forces in Manila.
“I don’t know if Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will take it up with me on this trip. But, so far, there has not been any formal proposal in that regard,” he added.
Despite having no existing deal, Marcos acknowledged that Japan has been assisting the Philippine Coast Guard in fortifying its presence in the South China Sea through the provision of patrol vessels.
“Their support to the Coast Guard, that has been going on for a long time. They are giving us Coast Guard vessels, so that kind of cooperation has been ongoing,” he said.
“Perhaps, for them, the next step is to do the improvements, rehabilitation in Subic for the Coast Guard because naturally, the reason behind all these is they would like to have more patrols along, up and down the South China Sea, so we can assure that the freedom of passage,” he claimed.
Last year, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri expressed his favor in inking a VFA with Japan, describing its government as a “good partner.”
Marcos is currently in Tokyo for a five-day official visit. He arrived here on 8 February and is set to return to Manila on 12 February.
So far, the Philippine government has a VFA with the American and Australian governments, allowing the two nations to assist Manila in countering terror efforts.