PM Kishida, PBBM okay to

Strengthen Security Ties

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Thursday agreed to strengthen Manila and Tokyo’s defense and security relations in response to growing Chinese military pressure in the region. In a joint statement, the Asian leaders resolved to "increase the defense capabilities of their own countries, and further strengthen overall security cooperation.”

This will be done through strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits, transfer of more defense equipment and technology, continuous cooperation on previously transferred defense equipment, and capacity building.

"In concrete terms, the leaders affirmed to strengthen efforts tocomplete transfer of air-surveillance radar systems, and for its related personnel training,” the statement read.

Mr. Marcos' trip comes a week after Manila announced a deal giving US troops access to another four bases in the country, and with Japan and the Philippines already in talks on a key defense pact.

The so-called Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) would allow the