Philippines’ Marcos backs 2-way troop deployment pact with Japan to protect fishermen

President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said Manila is open to strike a Visiting Forces Agreement with Tokyo if it would strengthen its maritime security

The Philippines recently granted the US access to new military bases in the country under a VFA amid concerns about aggressive Chinese actions in the region

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (right) shakes hands with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr in Tokyo on February 9. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 11:00am, 13 Feb 2023Updated: 11:06am, 13 Feb 2023

President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr said on Sunday he saw no reason why the Philippines should not have a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Japan if it would boost maritime security and ensure greater protection for Filipino fishermen.

Marcos, however, also told reporters he would exercise care in pursuing a potential pact with Tokyo “because we do not want to appear provocative.”

Marcos’ first visit to Japan since taking office came after he recently granted the United States access to additional military bases in the Philippines under a VFA, a move which China said undermined regional stability and raised tensions. The VFA provides rules for the rotation of thousands of US troops in and out of the Philippines for exercises.

“If it will be of help to the Philippines in terms of protecting, for example our fishermen, protecting our maritime territory … I don’t see why we should not adopt it (VFA),” Marcos told reporters before returning home on Sunday, according to an official transcript.

Marcos was in Japan for a five-day visit, to forge closer security ties with Tokyo, which in December announced its biggest military-build up since World War II, fuelled by concerns about aggressive Chinese actions in the region.