Philippines, Japan agree to start negotiation on ‘VFA-like’ military agreement

A VISITING Forces Agreement between the Philippines and Japan may be made soon as negotiations for a  Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), that can be similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, is being explored.

The agreement came as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made an official visit to the Philippines. 

“The decision was made to start negotiation on the reciprocal access agreement or RAA and agreed to further strengthen the trilateral cooperation among Japan, United States and the Philippines,” Kishida said during the joint statement.

“We also confirm to further promote cooperation to improve the Philippines’ maritime law enforcement capabilities including the provision of patrol vessels and defense equipment and technological cooperation including the transfer of warning and control radar,” he added. 

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President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. meanwhile said that the Philippines is committed to work on the framework for the RAA.

“We are cognizant of the benefits of having this arrangement both to our personnel and maintaining peace and stability in our region,” said Pres. Marcos. 

Aside from the United States, the Philippines also has a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia. 

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The said agreement paves the way for Filipino and foreign soldiers to train together.

They also share military equipment and assets. 

Also, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the freedom of navigation and overflight in the East and South China Seas.

They also stressed the need for adherence to a “rules-based approach in resolving competing claims in maritime areas.”

“We share the serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. And that the attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force is unacceptable,” Kishida said.