President Marcos said recent developments have shown that the world cannot afford to have waterways disrupted or placed at risk, given their vital role in sustaining global trade, energy flows and economic stability.
TOKYO – President Marcos called for enhanced defense cooperation and
partnerships bound by shared values, saying the present era of
disruptions and geopolitical tensions is not a time for retreat but for a
“deeper engagement” with like-minded parties.
In remarks
delivered during a meeting with the Japan-Philippines Parliamentary
Friendship League here on Wednesday, May 27, Marcos said recent
developments have shown that the world cannot afford to have waterways
disrupted or placed at risk, given their vital role in sustaining global
trade, energy flows and economic stability.
“These realities underscore the importance of strengthening our defense and security cooperation,” the President said.
According
to him, the Philippines reaffirms the importance of the centrality and
unity of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in shaping a
regional architecture that is “open, inclusive and rules-based.”
On
the bilateral level, the Philippines’ cooperation with Japan continues
to be guided by shared outlook, values and responsibilities as maritime
democracies, Marcos added.
“Like Japan, the Philippines believes
that maritime security is an essential pillar of a free, open and
inclusive region,” the Chief Executive said.
Marcos said the two
countries’ collaboration in defense is operationalized through
agreements such as the Reciprocal Access Agreement and the Acquisition
and Cross-Servicing Agreement.
Both the Philippines and Japan are
embroiled in longstanding disputes with China, whose aggressive actions
in disputed areas have raised concerns among its neighbors.
The
Philippines and China’s maritime row involve portions of the South China
Sea, a strategic sea lane where over $5 trillion in shipments passes
through every year. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have
overlapping claims in the resource-rich area.
In 2016, a
Hague-based arbitral court voided China’s maritime claim and affirmed
the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone, but
Beijing refused to recognize the ruling.
Japan also has a row with China over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
Marcos
did not mention China in his speech, but in a media interview before
arriving here, he pointed out that Japan and the Philippines have common
experiences when it comes to “coercive acts.”
In the same speech,
Marcos said the international system is undergoing a “profound
transformation,” with regions seeing “increasing geopolitical tensions,
disruptions in supply chains and mounting pressures on the rules-based
international order.”
“In such an environment, the importance of
trusted partnerships that are anchored in shared values, mutual respect
and adherence to international law has never been more evident,” the
President said.
Marcos gets highest Japan honor
Marcos
was conferred Japan’s highest honor during his state call on the
Imperial Couple on Wednesday, which featured not just the usual military
honors, but also instrumental renditions of traditional Ilocano songs.
Marcos
received the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum,
Japan’s highest decoration usually given to foreign heads of state,
royalty and distinguished leaders for exceptional service and
contributions to Japan. The award was established in 1876 by Emperor
Meiji.
First Lady Liza Marcos, who joined Marcos during the state
call on Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace, was
bestowed the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown. The
decoration is traditionally bestowed to female members of foreign royal
families and high-ranking women dignitaries during state visits.
The
Philippines reciprocated by awarding the Order of Lakandula with the
rank of Supremo or Grand Collar on Emperor Naruhito and the Order of
Gabriela Silang on Empress Masako. The Supremo or Grand Collar rank is
given to a former or incumbent head of state or of government while the
Order of Gabriela Silang is conferred upon the spouses of heads of state
or government, both Filipino and foreign.
Malacañang described the state call as the “highlight” of Marcos’ four-day state visit here.