MANILA – A defense pact between the Philippines and Japan is expected to be signed this year as both sides are now finalizing discussions on the said agreement.
This was confirmed by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, who spoke to journalists at the sidelines of Sweden’s National Day reception in Makati City last Thursday night.
According to Sec. Teodoro, both sides are “close to signing” the defense agreement this year, but declined to give a date for the signing of the accord.
“Hopefully it’s going to be signed soon with Japan,” he said
The defense agreement, called the Reciprocal Access Agreement (AAR), is similar to that of the United States and the Philippines’ Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which will allow more Japanese forces to join annual military exercises, such as the “Balikatan Exercises” between U.S. and Philippine troops, as well as conduct humanitarian assistance.
(Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)
The Philippines has been expanding defense and maritime security cooperation with like-minded countries amid growing tensions with China in disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea and the South China Sea.
Recently, there have been incidences of blocking, shadowing, harassment and usage of water canons by China’s coast guard and militia vessels against Philippine Coast Guard vessels in the contested waters in the West Philippine Sea, including Second Thomas Shoal, or locally called Ayungin Shoal, and Scarborough Shoal, which is known locally as Bajo de Masinloc.
Meanwhile, the Philippines recently signed separately defense cooperation agreements with Canda and the United Kingdom (UK), as well as starting negotiations for a VFA with France.
Australia and the Philippines signed a similar agreement in May 2007 called the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) and was later ratified.
The VFA between the Philippines and U.S. took effect in 1999, which now serves as the legal framework allowing American forces to visit the country temporarily to conduct military exercises and to respond to humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts in the Philippines.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution does not allow foreign troops to establish permanent military bases in the country.
