Japan has vowed to strengthen security partnerships with the Philippines and other like-minded nations such as the United States and Australia to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the 69th anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko emphasized the importance of stronger cooperation with Manila, saying unity is necessary “to lead the international community towards greater cooperation while deterring unwarranted division and confrontation.”
Besides the Philippines, Japan is bolstering its ties with the US and Australia—two countries with which the Philippines is also cooperating to ensure a rules-based order in the volatile region.
Meanwhile, France expressed concern over the recent swarming of Chinese vessels in the Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
In a press statement issued on Monday, the French Embassy in Manila called for respect for international law and the resolution of disputes through dialogue.
“We are resolutely opposed to any use of force or threat to do so. We recall, in this regard, the Arbitration award rendered under UNCLOS on the 12th of July 2016,” the embassy said.
In another development, Filipino and American combat aircraft engaged in a “defensive counter-air” (DCA) exercise over the military training area east of Luzon as part of efforts to enhance interoperability and cohesiveness between the two air forces.
Philippine Air Force spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the DCA took place last July 8 and is part of the second iteration of the ongoing Cope Thunder exercises between the PAF and the US Pacific Air Forces. The Cope Thunder exercises started on July 2 and will run until July 21.
Koshikawa said that Tokyo has reinforced its commitments to regional peace and stability to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific.
A statement released by the Japanese embassy said the ambassador reaffirmed the shared commitments of Japan, the Philippines, and the US to bolster their maritime cooperation as demonstrated by the first joint trilateral exercises of their respective coast guards.
Recently, Manila, Tokyo, and Washington held week-long joint maritime drills in the waters off Bataan province.
The first-ever Japan-Australia-Philippines-US Defense Ministerial Meeting is also coming, which Koshikawa said was a welcome development towards maintaining peace and stability in the West Philippine Sea.
Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said more than 50 Chinese vessels had been spotted in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.
A Philippine air patrol on June 30 spotted Chinese fishing vessels “anchored in groups of five to seven” with no fishing activities observed.
Citing earlier Intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance flights, the AFP’s Western Command said the number of Chinese fishing vessels in the area had increased from 12 in February to 47 in June.
The military also said that aside from the fishing vessels, three China coast guard ships and two People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels were seen “regularly loitering” near Sabina Shoal.
The AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are set to intensify patrols in the Iroquois Reef in the West Philippine Sea.
The PCG earlier reported another incident where Chinese vessels made dangerous maneuvers near Philippine vessels that could have caused a collision in the Ayungin Shoal.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said the maneuvers of their vessels were “professional and restrained.”
Wang said the Ren’ai Reef (Ayungin Shoal) was part of China’s Nansha Islands, a view the Philippines disputes.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including the Spratly Islands, ignoring an international ruling that invalidates its massive claims.
Malacañang has been silent over these recent incidents, but President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously said that the search continues for solutions that would address the challenges jointly faced by the Philippines and China.
Mr. Marcos had said that the differences between the two nations did not define the entirety of their ties. He believed that having direct communication with Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as other important Chinese officials is necessary to avoid misunderstandings on various issues.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration rendered a landmark ruling in July 2016 that “there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the ‘nine-dash line.’”
“[Although] two Chinese navigators and fishermen, as well as those of other States, had historically made use of the islands in the South China Sea, there was no evidence that China had historically exercised exclusive control over the waters or their resources,” it added.
China continues to reject the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.
In other developments:
* House Ways and Means Chair and Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda on Monday vowed he will be fielding questions to enhance discussions on the country’s maritime defense capabilities and updates on the review of the US-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty.
This is set during the budget deliberations on the 2024 General Appropriations Act, in the wake of a larger-than-usual incursion of some 48 Chinese vessels into Philippine waters this week.
“I’m glad (Defense) Secretary (Gilberto) Teodoro is now on board the administration because we have serious questions about maritime defense capabilities that need to be addressed in the 2024 budget. I will be sending in questions that I hope the DND, the National Security Adviser, and the Philippine Coast Guard can provide answers to during the budget hearings,” Salceda said.
* Senator Christopher Go filed a measure to modernize the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and strengthen its capabilities in safeguarding the country’s maritime resources.
The proposed Senate Bill No. 2112 seeks to enhance the PCG’s capacity by providing the service with vital assets and resources that will help in the efficient fulfillment of its duties and responsibilities.
The bill’s primary objective is to upgrade the coast guard’s vessels, aircraft, and equipment to international standards. This will significantly improve response time during maritime incidents and emergencies.