PBBM says inclusion of Japan in Balikatan exercises worth studying

(Eagle News)–President Bongbong Marcos said allowing Japanese forces to join the Balikatan military exercises between the Philippines and the United States is something worth exploring.

The Balikatan exercises are held annually under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which is aimed at strengthening efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security.

“Now with the inclusion of Japan in some of these exercises that we’ve been doing, not only Balikatan but others, I don’t see any reason why Japan should not be part of those exercises in the future..And I think that maybe it’s something we can study,” he said.

The President said including Japan would be “a good move” as it will ensure the optimal use of resources.

Japan’s participation in the Balikatan exercises, should it materialize, will also help maintain the peace and stability and freedom of navigation in accordance “totally and completely and constantly to the rule of international law,” particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, he said.

He said a decision can be made after the Balikatan exercises being held with the US this year.

The military drills this year began on April 4.

“The Balikatan exercises that we’re coming into now are the largest exercises we’ve ever had, the most complex, and it touches on areas that we’ve never really had to deal with before, specifically cybersecurity, command and control,” he said.

“..So let’s go and then after that, we’ll look again where, how the trilateral agreement has allowed us more options to include Japan..We’ll see. And I for one have no objection to the idea,” he added.

Only recently, the President was in a trilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and US President Joe Biden in Washington.

During the event, the three leaders reiterated their strong commitment to maritime and economic cooperation.