Zubiri to push VFA for PH, Japan
WITH President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on an official visit to Japan, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri is urging the Philippine and Japanese governments to begin exploratory discussions on forging a “Visiting Force Agreement” (VFA) between the two countries.
“Speaking with Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko last year, I brought up the idea of pursuing a VFA with Japan,” said Zubiri.
While no formal talks about the VFA have yet reached Marcos, Zubiri sees the President’s meeting with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio as an “opportune time” to finally go into initial talks about the agreement.
“It makes strategic sense. Japan is an ally, and with ongoing territorial disputes over our waters, we stand to benefit from stronger security cooperation with our allies,” he said.
Japan, Zubiri said, is already offering vital support to our Coast Guard, “not just through vessels and equipment but also through other capacity-building opportunities such as training.”
“The VFA will strengthen our partnership even further,” Zubiri maintained.
The Senate chief further explained that although peaceful diplomacy remains our foremost move toward conflict resolution, “we also have to be prepared for any eventuality.”
“With Japan on our side, we will be able to empower our Coast guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines in time of conflict,” Zubiri further said as he explained that apart from the VFA being crucial to building up our security and defense, the said mutual agreement will be massively helpful to the Filipinos in times of natural calamities and disasters.
“Let us remember that Japan is just as disaster-prone as we are, and so they have made it a priority to ensure that their armed forces are well-equipped to conduct disaster management efforts and rescue operations. Our armed forces can use their disaster management training and knowledge to help us become a more resilient country as well,” he said.
Zubiri insists that with VFA between Japan and the Philippines, “there is more gain and benefits that can help the Filipinos” as he assured that he will make all efforts to make sure that he will gain the much-needed support in the Senate for its speedy approval.
