Philippines’ Marcos open to a troop pact with Japan

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Sunday he saw no reason why the Philippines should not have a Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with Japan if it would boost maritime security and ensure greater protection for Filipino fishermen.
Marcos, however, also told reporters he would exercise care in pursuing a potential pact with Tokyo “because we do not want to appear provocative.”
Marcos’ first visit to Japan since taking office came after he recently granted the United States access to additional military bases in the Philippines under a VFA, a move which China said undermined regional stability and raised tensions. The VFA provides rules for the rotation of thousands of U.S.troops in and out of the Philippines for exercises.
“If it will be of help to the Philippines in terms of protecting, for example our fishermen, protecting our maritime territory … I don’t see why we should not adopt it (VFA),” Marcos told reporters before returning home on Sunday, according to an official transcript.