The Philippines and Japan should start considering exploratory discussions on a possible Visiting Forces Agreement between the two countries, said Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri.
Zubiri made this statement as he joined President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on his five-day state visit to Japan.
The Senate President said Marcos’ upcoming meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was an “opportune time” to go into initial talks about the agreement.
“It makes strategic sense. Japan is an ally, and with ongoing territorial disputes over our waters, we stand to benefit from stronger security cooperation with our allies,” Zubiri said, as he recalled the idea of pursuing a VFA with Japan when he met with Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko last year.
Zubiri emphasized that the Japanese government has been offering vital support to the Philippine Coast Guard, not just through vessels and equipment but also through other capacity-building and training opportunities.
“Given all the benefits we stand to gain from the VFA, I am hopeful that we will be able to begin formal discussions about it soon, and I am pretty certain that we will be able to garner enough support in the Senate for it,” he said.
Forging a VFA will “strengthen our partnership even further,” according to Zubiri. “Peaceful diplomacy remains our foremost move toward conflict resolution, but we also have to be prepared for any eventuality. With Japan on our side, we will be able to empower our Coast Guard and Armed Forces in times of conflict.”
“Apart from the VFA being crucial to building up our security and defense, it will also be massively helpful to us in times of natural calamities and disasters,” he added.
Zubiri pointed out that Japan, like the Philippines, is a disaster-prone country and it has made sure its armed forces are well-equipped to conduct disaster management efforts and rescue operations.
Marcos earlier said there are no formal talks yet regarding a possible VFA with the East Asian country.
“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 proposals in that regard,” he said in an interview with reporters aboard the flight to Japan Wednesday.