The Philippines and the United States are considering the expansion of their annual “Balikatan” ( shoulder-to-shoulder ) military exercises to include Japan following the legendary intergovernmental meeting of the three places ‘ leaders in ; Washington next year, President Marcos, Ferdinand said on Monday.
Marcos favored the idea of having Chinese troops take part in the Balikatan battle games, which were being conducted as part of the Mutual Defense Treaty between . the Philippines and the United States.
“ I don’t see any reason why not. It is a good move for us to make it easier to work together and coordinate together, [and ] maximize the resources we have to maintain peace and stability, ” he noted.
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When confronted by people of the , Marcos responded to a question about whether the Balikatan exercises may turn into a multilateral project. Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines in a question-and-answer conference during its 50th anniversary celebration at the Manila Hotel.
The previously formed empire with was a source of enthusiasm for the President. the United States and Japan, forged during the intergovernmental meeting with US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, through an arrangement on preserving peace and security in the Indo-Pacific area.
Not anticipating combat
Additionally, he downplayed the possibility that a particular nation would be the target of the US-Philippines-Japan empire China, claiming that it was simply a result of the three countries ‘ closer ties.
Security and defense were the topics of conversation at the meeting in order to keep navigation independence. West Philippine Sea, he pointed out.
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The director for the National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea furthermore stated on Monday that the multilateral empire of the Philippines , United States and Japan was not gearing up for war, but a part of work to boost the country ’s military capability.
Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya rekindled public’s concern over the flow of thousands of British troops in the northern regions of the Philippines, mainly Ilocos Norte and Cagayan.
There is no reason for our people to remain concerned because there is no imminent war, yet as—we are aware of this fact—there has been a lot of speculation, especially on social media; the Philippines, US and Japan seem to be gearing up [for ] war, ” he said.
The Balikatan training is a significant training that our soldiers are participating in. the United States and spectators from Australia and Japan. These are all meant to boost the Armed Forces of the Philippines and not [preparing for ] an impending war, ” he said.
Shift in US administration
According to Marcos, the Philippine government is also “watching closely ” the political developments in the United States and how the leads of a Donald Trump presidency would cause a shift in its commitment of an “iron-clad ” relationship with the Philippines.
It would be artistic to declare that we do not closely monitor the political pattern that is taking place right now; the United States… if President Biden is reelected, then we have a very good ground on which to base our opportunities because we have already spoken with him, ” he said.
“But, certainly, if there is a change in government, then there would be changes in policy. We do not understand what those are, ” the President added.
However, he assurance that the partnerships made by are accurate. the Philippines and the United States are contracts and transcendental changes in the political environment.
“ I think that since they almost rise to agreement agreements, those convention agreements must be honored. That, I think, puts us on earth, ” he said.
Protection agreement
Aside from the plan to develop the Balikatan, Marcos said the Philippines and Japan The planned Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA )’s operational details are currently being finalized.
It’s just a matter of getting the terminology down and defining how the logistical systems and how that will operate precisely, but it should n’t take very long, he said.
Cocas claimed that he and Kishida discussed the RAA during their conversation. Washington meet.
“ I think we’re very close to completion on that, ” he said.
The Visiting Forces Agreement with  would not be the same as the RAA. the United States, which, he said, had “caused problems ” due to the presence of American forces in the country.
Their men may descend and enter the city, not as if it were their foundation and the people there. I don’t think that ’s part of the agreement, ” he said.
No more innovative Edca places
The President stated that the government would no longer add additional sites to the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement ( EDCA ) with . the United States after almost doubling the number next year.
China has recently accused the Philippines of “ignoring the fire ” when it increased the number of foundations the US military could use from five to nine, with the new locations being close to potential outposts.
“The solution to that is not, ” Marcos said in response to a keyword whether the Philippines may give Americans entry to more foundations.
“The Philippines has no intention of expanding or granting access to any additional foundations, ” he told the forum’s foreign journalists. —WITH A REPORT FROM Cnet
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