MANILA, Philippines – Kapwa sumang-ayon ang Japan at Pilipinas na magkaroon ng karagdagang bilateral discussions para tugunan ang regional at international na situwasyon.
Sa idinaos na documents exchange ceremony kasama ang mga opisyal ng Pilipinas at Japan sa Prime Minister’s Office, sinabi ni Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida na siya at si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ay mayroong plano na magkaroon ng “in-depth exchange of views on regional and international situations including our collaboration towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific” dahil na rin sa kapuwa kinilal ng dalawang lider ang “severe and complex international situations.”
“President Marcos’ visit to Japan gives us a renewed momentum for our two nations to further upgrade our bilateral partnerships, we have seen in many areas over the recent years to an even higher dimension, and for us to make further contributions to the peace and stability of the region and the world,” ayon kay Kishida.
Miyerkules ng gabi, sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos na ang pakikipagtulungan sa Japan ukol sa seguridad ng rehiyon ay “a new element to our relationship.”
“With regards to our security cooperation, I explained to the President [Marcos] such matters as Japan’s national security strategy and the President welcomed Japan’s commitment to the free and open international order based on rules,” ang wika ni Kishida.
Kasunod ng pakikipagpulong ni Pangulong Marcos kay Kishida, sinabi ng una na “I can confidently say that our Strategic Partnership is stronger than ever as we navigate, together, the rough waters buffeting our region.”
“The future of our relationship remains full of promise, as we continue to deepen and expand our engagements across a wide range of mutually beneficial cooperation,” aniya pa rin.
Sa joint statement na ipinalabas ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), kapuwa pinagtibay ng dalawang lider ang kanilang intensyon na palakasin ang “defense and security cooperation” sa pamamagitan ng bilateral consultations sa lahat ng antas kabilang na sa Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting, Vice-Ministerial Strategic Dialogue, at Political-Military (PM) Dialogue.
Handa rin ang dalawang lider na “increase the defense capabilities of their own countries, and further strengthen overall security cooperation, which will be done through strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, transfer of more defense equipment and technology, continuous cooperation on previously-transferred defense equipment, and capacity building.”
“In concrete terms, the leaders affirmed to strengthen efforts to complete transfer of air-surveillance radar systems, and for its related personnel training,” ayon sa kalatas.
Sa kabilang dako, kapuwa naman winelcome nina Pangulong Marcos at Kishida, ang paglagda sa terms of reference na may kinalaman sa Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities ng Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) sa Pilipinas, naglalayon na gawing simple ang mga pamamaraan sa pagbisita sa Pilipinas ng JSDF, bilang isa sa pagsisikap na palakasin at gawing madali ang kooperasyon sa HADR.
“The President and I welcomed the signing of the TOR concerning the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities of the Japan SDF and agreed to continue exploring a framework to strengthen and facilitate such activities as joint exercises,” ani Kishida.
“We will also look into ways to promote our defense equipment and technology cooperation and to strengthen cooperation amongst Japan, the United States, and the Philippines,” aniya pa rin.
Para naman kay Pangulong Marcos, ang paglagda sa TOR on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief “underscores our joint efforts to value human lives above all and to ensure that we remain resilient and responsive amidst natural and man-made disasters.”
Samantala, kapwa naman pumayag sina Pangulong Marcos at Kishida na patuloy na ikonsidera ang mga paraan “further advance defense cooperation including through frameworks that will enhance and facilitate education and training exchanges as well as reciprocal visits of defense and military officials.”
Welcome naman sa dalawang lider ang progreso ng bilateral defense exchanges gaya ng sa pamamagitan ng Vice Minister’s Defense Dialogue noong Disyembre 2022, Staff Talks noong Hulyo 2022, at Japan-Philippines Military-to-Military Meeting noong Oktubre 2022.
Welcome din sa Pangulo ang intensyon ng Japan na magtatag ng bagong cooperation framework para sa kapakinabangan ng armed forces at iba pang kaugnay na organisasyon ng recipient countries para sa mas malalim na security cooperation. Kris Jose
