VFA exploratory talks ng PH sa Japan, isinusulong ni Zubiri

VFA exploratory talks ng PH sa Japan, isinusulong ni Zubiri

February 9, 2023 @ 5:48 PM 1 month ago


MANILA, Philippines- Isinusulong ni Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri ang pagsisimula ng exploratory talks sa pagitan ng Pilipinas at Japan sa paglikha ng Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) sa lalong madaling panahon.

Sinabi ni Zubiri na nakikita niya ang naturang panukala bilang “strategic sense.”

“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,” aniya sa media interview.

Ayon kay Zubiri, una nitong Ipinalutang ang ideya sa Philippine – Japan VFA nang makipagkita ito kay  Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko noong nakaraang taon.

Hindi pa nakakarating ang pormal na usapan sa VFA kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Pero, aniya na paborable ang panahon na ipalutang ang panukala sa pakikipagpulong ng chief excutive kay   Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.

Kasalukuyang nasa Japan si Marcos kasama si Zubiri bilang bahagi ng  Philippine delegation.

“Japan 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,” ayon kay Zubiri.

“Peaceful diplomacy remains our foremost move toward conflict resolution, but we also have to be prepared for any eventuality,” patuloy niya. “With Japan on our side, we will be able to empower our Coast Guard and Armed Forces in times of conflict.”

Aniya, makatutulong din ang VFA sa Pilipinas sa panahon ng kalamidad at natural disaster.

“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,” ayon sa lider ng Senado.

Umaasa si Zubiri na susuportahan ng Senado ang panukala.

“Given all the benefits we stand to gain from the VFA, I am hopeful that we will be able to begin formal discussions about it soon, and I am pretty certain that we will be able to garner enough support in the Senate for it,” aniya.

Sa ngayon, tanging sa US may VFA ang Pilipinas. Ernie Reyes