MANILA, Philippines — Former WWII enemies are now allies against China. Ironically, China, USA, and the Philippines were allies against Japan during WWII. The Philippine defence chief said his government has signed an accord with Japan to allow Tokyo to supply military equipment to Manila in the first such Japanese defence pact in Southeast Asia.
Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin says the agreement he signed with the Japanese ambassador in Manila is not directed against any country but aims to address gaps in the underfunded Philippine military’s capabilities.
Gazmin said that there has been no discussion on what defence equipment Japan will provide, but added that the Philippine military currently needs to upgrade its intelligence.
The new accord will reportedly pave the way for Japan to sell new military hardware, transfer defence technology, donate used military equipment and provide defence training to forces in the Philippines.
Tokyo has signed similar pacts with the United States and Australia in the past, but the Philippine deal marks the first occasion that Tokyo has forged such a tie with a Southeast Asian country.
The pact provides an increased level of defence co-operation between Japan and the Philippines, two nations united in their concern over China’s aggressive territorial claims and maritime build-up in the region.
Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, and Benigno Aquino III, the Philippine president, have exchanged visits and publicly vowed to intensify bilateral defence co-operation.
Last month, both Japan and the Philippines expressed anger at Beijing after a Chinese plane landed on an airstrip it has constructed on a disputed island in the South China Sea, also known as West Philippine Sea.
Surveillance equipment
In November 2015, Tokyo announced that it plans to transfer three used Beechcraft TC-90 King Air patrol planes fitted with basic surface and air surveillance radar to the AFP by autumn of 2016. Both sides are also in talks over new P-3C Orion patrol aircrafts.
The equipment will be in addition to previously announced moves, including the transfer of ten patrol boats to the Philippines announced back in 2013 confirmed to begin in 2016.
Both sides have also committed to exploring a visiting forces agreement that would give Tokyo access to Manila’s military facilities that the United States and Australia now enjoy.
This year, the Armed Forces of the Philippines will procure two frigates, two twin-engine long range patrol aircraft, three aerial surveillance radars, and the first two out of a total of 12 FA50 light fighter jets ordered from South Korea. (Source: The Diplomat)