PHL, Japan discuss strengthening maritime safety, energy cooperation

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. discussed boosting maritime safety and energy cooperation with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over the weekend, Malacañang reported Sunday.

The discussions took place during the Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting on Sunday afternoon with Marcos currently in Japan for the 50th ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit.

“Prime Minister Kishida stated that Japan would steadily carry out the provision of coastal radar system through Official Security Assistance (OSA) and would like to further strengthen cooperation in maritime safety capacity building based on the Memorandum of Cooperation between the coast guards of the two countries that was signed on this occasion,” the statement from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

The PCO said the two leaders agreed to continue to reach an early conclusion on the negotiations of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and to enhance cooperation between the coast guards of the two countries.

The maritime safety cooperation comes as Philippine vessels were water cannoned by the China Coast Guard (CCG) earlier this month, causing serious damage to several vessels on a resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippine Navy tank landing ship that was deliberately grounded to serve as an outpost at the Ayungin Shoal.

The Philippines in 2013 challenged China over its claims on the West Philippine Sea, where Manila scored a victory and a landmark ruling by an international tribunal which invalidated Beijing’s claims.

China has refused to acknowledge such ruling, with a number of its vessels spotted in the vicinity of Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal in the Philippine territory, as earlier reported by the Western Command.

Marcos and Kishida last month also agreed to start negotiations for the RAA, which is proposed to facilitate the procedures and set guidelines when Philippine forces visit Japan for training and joint exercises, and vice versa.

The PCO said the officials of both countries have also cited the need for further cooperation in the energy sector.

“Prime Minister Kishida stated that taking the opportunity of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting, he would like to strengthen cooperation in energy transition and decarbonization, as well as to continue to steadily promote infrastructure cooperation,” it said.

“In response, President Marcos stated that he would like to further promote cooperation with Japan in these areas as well,” it added.—RF, GMA Integrated News