TOKYO – A “tripartite agreement” between the Philippines, the United States of America, and Japan are now under review to solidify the alliance of the three nations, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has revealed during an interview here.
The Presidential Communications Office announced this on Sunday, citing the President’s interview with Tokyo-based Kyodo News earlier this week while he is on an official visit here. It did not, however, elaborate on which area of cooperation the three countries seek to boost.
The President, the PCO said, unveiled the Philippine government’s plan to make more “solid partnerships and alliances that we are beginning to put together in our areas” through forging an agreement with the country’s two long-standing allies.
Marcos was quoted as saying that the tri-party legal arrangement is part of a “continuing and ongoing” process to invigorate Philippine relations with its existing partners and allies.
“So that is, I think, a central element to…providing some sort of stability in the face of all these problems that we are seeing around us,” he said.
Among the external problems being faced by the country are China’s aggressive incursions in the West Philippine Sea, the tension between superpowers in Southeast Asia, and the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“It is something that we certainly are going to be studying upon my return to the Philippines. I think just part of the continuing process of strengthening our alliances because in this rather confusing, and I dare say dangerous situations that we have,” Marcos said.
He added: “I’m not talking only about the South China Sea, I’m not only talking about the Indo-Pacific region but, of course, there is a conflict still ongoing in Ukraine and the rather disturbing effects that it has all around the world.”
Earlier this week, Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have come to an agreement to bolster Manila and Tokyo’s defense and security relations during the former’s maiden visit to Japan as President.
This will be done through strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, the transfer of more defense equipment and technology, continuous cooperation on previously transferred defense equipment, and capacity building.
During the Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting last 9 February, Marcos and Kishida welcomed the signing of the terms of reference concerning the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Activities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces or JSDF in the Philippines.
In October last year, the JGSDF Western Area Command conducted capacity-building cooperation in HA/DR with the Philippine Army.