BUMISITA si Japan Prime Minsiter Kishida Fumio at nakipagpulong kay Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri at iba pang senador bilang bahagi ng opisyal na pagbisita sa parlyamentaryo ng delegasyon sa Tokyo, Japan.
Sinabi ni Zubiri na ang pagbisita ni Fumio ay nasa tamang panahon.
“The strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan is evolving to even higher levels, as we adapt to the heightened global security situation, particularly the continuing maritime tensions, in our region,” ani Zubiri.
“On a daily basis, our Philippine Coast Guard records cases of harassment from foreign actors, which is depriving our country of its sovereign right to use its exclusive economic zone. That is why the Philippines is thankful for Japan’s strong support of the 2016 Arbitration Ruling and for providing us modern ships and other equipment such as radars to monitor our skies and seas,” dagdag pa niya.
Kasama ni Zubiri, ang delegasyon ay binubuo nina Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito, Sen. Sonny Angara, Sen. Imee Marcos, Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Win Gatchalian, Sen. Grace Poe, Sen. Nancy Binay, Lito Lapid at Sen. Mark Villar.
“With almost half of the Senate here with us, we hope to show to you the importance that we accord to our strategic partnership.”
Noong Pebrero, nanawagan din si Zubiri sa Punong Ministro, bilang bahagi ng delegasyon ng Pilipinas na pinamumunuan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos.
Sa pagbisita rin noong Pebrero na iyon, binanggit niya ang pangangailangang ng isang Philippines-Japan Visiting Forces Agreement.
“This visit, particularly the briefing from the Ministry of Defense, has given us a clearer understanding of the current defense and security realities facing both our nations,” aniya.
“These meetings have also prompted us to act with greater urgency to support a possible Philippines-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement that will boost the inter-operability of our armed forces.”
LIZA SORIANO