Japan grants P611 million security aid to Philippines

MANILA, Philippines —   Japan will provide defense equipment to the Philippines with the signing of 1.6 billion yen or roughly P611 million in Official Security Assistance (OSA) to boost the country’s defense capabilities.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo signed the deal and exchanged the diplomatic notes pertaining to the OSA from Japan for the Department of National Defense-Armed Forces of the Philippines (DND-AFP) at a ceremony held yesterday at the Department of Foreign Affairs office in Manila. Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. also attended the ceremony.

The signing took place a day after the latest China harassment of Philippine government vessels in Bajo de Masinloc.

Under Japan’s second OSA for the Philippines, RHIBs (Rigid-hulled inflatable boat), coastal radar systems and other equipment will be provided to the Philippine Navy to improve its maritime domain awareness capabilities.

Japan launched the OSA in April 2023 to help recipient countries ramp up their defense capabilities amid security concerns like China’s growing military assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Japanese embassy said “the Philippines faces important sea lanes including the South China Sea and the Luzon Strait and plays an important role in regional security.”

The project is expected to contribute to maintaining and strengthening the regional security and to enhance the security of the vital sea lanes, and will be of significance to Japan’s security.

“This will help support the seamless operation of the radar and further improve the monitoring and surveillance capabilities of the Philippines. It is also expected to lead to further strengthening the security cooperation between Japan and the Philippines,” according to the embassy.

The DFA said “it will support DND and AFP’s efforts in securing the Philippines and improving the country’s capabilities to deter threats to peace, stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.”

“The assistance reflects the two countries’ shared commitment to maritime stability and regional peace,” the DFA added. The Philippines is one of the first recipients of Japan’s OSA, launched in 2023.