THE National Security Advisers (NSAs) of the Philippines and Japan on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to upholding “freedom of navigation and international law in the South China Sea and East China Sea.”
Philippine NSA Eduardo Año had a phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart, Okano Masataka, as confirmed by a statement from the National Security Council (NSC).
“They reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and international law in the South China Sea and East China Sea, as well as the importance of upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific, and international rules-based order,” the statement read.
The two officials also discussed areas of cooperation to address “destabilizing actions in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea.”
“The two NSAs confirmed Japan-Philippines security cooperation and concurred to continue to work closely with each other. They also agreed to continue and promote the trilateral framework of cooperation with the United States under the new administration of President (Donald) Trump,” the NSC added.
In his latest press conference, Army chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said even as the Japan legislation has yet to ratify the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), the Philippine land military unit is prepared to work with its counterparts in the disputed areas.
“Yes, Japan has not ratified that RAA, but we are having high-level arrangements already on areas that we can work on. So when it is ratified, we are ready to be able to work with them.” Galido pointed out.
“For the Army’s side, we focus on their areas of expertise initially on a common threat, a common environment that we have. It’s our humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR). We have the same set-up, so Japan is also having these calamity threats. So this is one area. And then second, of course, is our land platform capability development,” he added.
Galido also said that once the RAA was ratified in Japan, he is eyeing to have a joint drill when it comes to Tokyo’s archipelagic concept.
You know, Japan’s archipelagic concept the way they’re preparing their defense is similar (to ours). We are also archipelagic so their way of defending their country is a good template for us on our preparation,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Philippines, Japan reaffirm commitment to freedom of navigation.”