Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 29) — Japan, the Philippines, and the United States would explore ways to beef up cooperation, but “nothing has been decided” yet on the reported three-way security framework talks, according to the Japanese Embassy in Manila.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Japanese government reiterated its commitment to boosting security ties with the Philippines and the US.
“Japan and the Philippines are important partners who share basic values and are both allies of the United States in the region,” it said.
“Regarding cooperation among the three countries, it was agreed at the Japan-Philippines Summit Meeting in February that we will continue to study ways to strengthen cooperation,” it also said.
However, when asked about a story released by Kyodo News on Tuesday, the embassy said: “Nothing has been decided at this point regarding the consultations you mentioned.”
Kyodo News reported the nations’ plan to set up a trilateral security framework amid China’s military aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
The first meeting may take place “as early as April,” the news report said, quoting Eduardo Año, security adviser of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
During their bilateral summit in Japan last month, Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said they would bolster security and maritime cooperation to spur stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“The Prime Minister and I have agreed to cooperate even more closely in areas of economic cooperation, security, and defense cooperation, maritime security and safety, healthcare mechanisms, environmental commitments, and people-to-people exchanges,” Marcos said in a joint press conference with Kishida at that time.
“And after our meeting, I can confidently say that our strategic partnership is stronger than ever as we navigate, together, the rough waters buffeting our region,” he added.
CNN Philippines Correspondent Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.
