President Marcos, Kishida OK talks for security aid program

MANILA, Philippines — Japan has launched its first-ever overseas security assistance program, with the Philippines as the first recipient.

Details of the official security assistance (OSA) program will still have to be finalized, but it was officially launched with the exchange of notes last night witnessed by President Marcos and visiting Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Malacañang.

The two countries are also set to begin negotiations for a so-called reciprocal access agreement (RAA), which will serve as legal cover for the holding of military exercises and other security activities between the two countries.

An initial grant of 600 million yen (about P235 million) will be provided under the OSA, with the exchange of notes signed by Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko.

The RAA is similar to the Visiting Forces Agreement that the Philippines has with the United States and Australia. It will be the third RAA for Japan after similar arrangements with Australia and the United Kingdom went into force this year.

“This OSA will further enhance the military capacities of our countries, including the Philippines, which shares common security concerns with Japan,” Marcos said in a joint press conference with Kishida.

On the RAA, he said, “we are cognizant of the benefits of having this arrangement, both to our defense and military personnel, and to maintaining peace and stability in our region.”

Kishida said Japan is deepening its security cooperation with the Philippines in light of the “increasingly severe and complex international situation.”

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

Under the OSA, Japan is providing the Armed Forces of the Philippines with a coastal surveillance radar system for the Navy, maritime

 patrol vessels along with other equipment that can promote safety and security in the South China Sea.

“Maritime domain awareness capability of the Philippines’ Department of National Defense will be enhanced,” Japanese Cabinet Secretary for Public Affairs Noriyuki Shikata