MANILA – Following a compelling speech by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a special joint session of Congress, Philippine lawmakers have expressed a reinforced commitment to safeguarding interests in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
According to Philippines News Agency, in which the Japanese leader asserted Japan’s earnest partnership with the Philippines in security and defense cooperation. Kishida reaffirmed Japan’s dedication to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) region and announced the donation of maritime equipment to bolster the Philippines’ defense capabilities.
As reported, Prime Minister Kishida’s speech underlined Japan’s role as a staunch ally in upholding international norms, partnering with nations like the United States to enhance regional cooperation. A focal point of FOIP, according to Romualdez, involves the extension of maritime security measures to aerial domains. Japan’s commitment was substantiated with the promise of 12 vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard and a radar system for the Philippine Air Force, along with coastal surveillance radars for the Philippine Navy under the newly established Official Security Assistance.
The partnership is set to be further solidified by the impending Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement, mirroring the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States. In gratitude, Romualdez emphasized Japan’s friendship and generosity, and announced the House’s intention to strengthen national security agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, by reallocating PHP1.23 billion in confidential funds within the PHP5.768-trillion General Appropriations Bill.