Philippines, Japan sign security aid package worth close to 1 billion pesos
Photo from MOFA
By: Manuel Mogato | Published: January 19, 2025
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Manila — Visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has announced almost 1 billion pesos in a security package during a meeting with his Filipino counterpart in Manila.
Motegi held talks with the Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro in his first visit to Manila, strengthening bilateral defense and security ties as regional tensions rise due to Chinese activities in the disputed waters in the East and South China Seas.
Motegi and Lazaro signed three security agreements, which include the exchange of military logistics under an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement (ACSA), patterned after the same deal with the Americans.
The ACSA arrangement would strengthen cooperation under the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) signed in 2024, or a status of forces agreement that allows Japanese troops to exercise and train on Philippine soil.
Japan promised to provide more than 1.6 billion yen, or more than 600 million pesos, in grants to link Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi through a wireless broadband to improve communications in the southwestern Philippines.
Under the 2025 Official Security Assistance (OSA), which is similar to the US Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program, Tokyo would also provide 900 million yen, or roughly 340 million pesos, to build boat houses and slipways for the Philippine Navy’s rigid-hulled inflatable boats as well as a coastal radar station.
These projects were aimed at improving the capabilities of the Armed Forces and enhancing the maritime domain awareness in the West Philippine Sea. (Also read: Japan’s destroyer export to Philippine Navy will show how far it’s ready to flex muscles in region)
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In a statement issued by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Motegi and Lazaro “shared serious concerns over the continuation and the intensification of the unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.”
The two sides agreed to continue working closely together for peace and stability in the region. (Also read: Marcos, Ishiba discuss trade and security in Japan’s first trip to Southeast Asia)
“In the face of the current severe international situations, the two Ministers confirmed the strategic importance of deepening Japan-US-Philippines trilateral cooperation and the US engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, in addition to the bilateral efforts, and concurred on promoting concrete cooperation, including in the area of maritime security,” the Japanese foreign ministry statement added.
For her part, Lazaro said the Philippines “remains ready to host the next Trilateral Maritime Dialogue” in Manila.
“We reiterated the Philippines and Japan’s shared commitment to upholding a rules-based order governed by international law, and the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and through dialogue,” Lazaro said in a prepared statement.
“In the maritime domain, we both recognized the value of promoting the rule of law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, especially in the South China Sea.”
Motegi also emphasized the importance of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) based on the rule of law.
During the two ministers’ discussion, the situations in Venezuela and the Middle East, including Iran, were taken up.
There was also a discussion on the two countries’ policies toward North Korea, including on the nuclear and missile issues, as well as the abduction issues.
On the economic side, the two ministers talked about the Metro Manila Subway Project and the North-South Commuter Railway Project, as well as flood control and disaster management.
Motegi also pointed out the urgency to diversify supply chains amid the heightening concern over export control of critical minerals.
Regarding the Mindanao peace process, Motegi reiterated support for the stability and development in Mindanao.
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