NextGen Day

According to a political analyst, Saturday’s increased security and defense cooperation between Japan and the Philippines may reduce tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

The University of Santo Tomas’ Froilan Calilung, a political science professor, made this observation after the two nations agreed to engage in “in-depth” discussion about regional and global challenges, including cooperation to realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

He claimed that the proposal sends a “very good” message to nations like the US and China that the security aspect is “not being monopolized by the regional or the international superpowers alone.”

During the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Calilung stated, “One of the things that I think is very good here in so far as this event is concerned, is that both the leaders from the Philippines and Japan agree very well on how we could attain iyong tinatawag nating (the so-called) free and open Indo-Pacific, which is very good because that will create or defuse some tensions or potential conflicts away of course from the very contentious issue of the West Philippine Sea

“Therefore, the cooperative patterns that exist are amazing (these cooperative patterns are good). The President we currently have is undoubtedly more statesmanlike, “Added he.

On the second day of Marcos’ working visit to Tokyo, the Philippines and Japan reaffirmed their defense and security cooperation.

In a joint statement, Prime Ministers Fumio Kishida of Japan and Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines committed to advancing their countries’ defense and security cooperation through “strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, the transfer of more defense technology and equipment, ongoing cooperation with regards to previously transferred defense equipment, and capacity building.”

“President of globalization”

Given the “extremely good” response from the Japanese government and corporate leaders, the professor predicted that the Philippines will profit from Marcos’ five-day working visit to Japan.

“This trip provided us with a wealth of economic, investment, and even health and tourism benefits. And I believe this is extremely, really good for the nation “added he.

Additionally, Calilung complimented Marcos for effectively representing the Philippines in Japan, referring to him as a “president of globalization” who “understands the mechanics of globalization.”

“Marcos is quite knowledgeable about how bilateral and multilateral integration functions, particularly in the modern or contemporary context. He is also incredibly articulate when it comes to his thoughts, “said he.

“I believe one of the reasons why so many nations and leaders around the world want to meet with him or get in touch with him is because of his profound insight. Don’t forget that when we travel abroad or host foreign officials, it’s not just us who genuinely gains knowledge and benefits. These other nations also wanted to do the same thing and learn a few things from us “Calilung tacked on.

VFA discussions

Senator Francis Tolentino claimed in a radio interview on Sunday that a proposed Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Japan is not new because the two nations have a relationship that dates back to 2006, when the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement was signed (JPEPA).

JPEPA was the Philippines’ first bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in 50 years, with the goal of expanding trade and investment opportunities between the two nations.

JPEPA stipulates that investors will receive both national treatment and most-favorable-nation treatment from the Philippines and Japan.

Tolentino claimed that Japan also gave the Philippines aviation and water resources that are currently being used to respond to disasters.

We have a joint declaration with Japan, which is why they provide airplanes; as a result, even though there isn’t a VFA yet, we still have a relationship with them, according to Tolentino.

While Senate President Miguel Zubiri said in a statement that no formal talks have reached Marcos, the President’s meeting with Kishida is “an appropriate time to finally go into initial talks about the agreement,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez told reporters in Tokyo that the VFA is a “work in progress.”

“Strategically, it makes sense. With persistent territorial conflicts over our waters and Japan as an ally, we stand to gain from closer security coordination with our friends “added Zubiri. “Japan is already providing essential assistance to our Coast Guard, not just with vessels and equipment but also with other chances for capacity-building, including as training.”

The signing of 35 investment agreements and seven bilateral agreements during Marcos’ tour to Japan so far.

On Sunday, he’s anticipated to fly back to Manila.

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