On May 27, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. of the Philippines visited Japan—a detail that is highly unfavorable for China!
Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. arrived in Tokyo. On the surface, it was a state visit, but the core focus was defense-related. According to a report by Kyodo News on May 25, Taro Aso will formally inform the Philippines during talks on the 28th that Japan has basically decided to include the Philippine military in the "Government Security Capability Enhancement Support" (OSA) framework for the fourth consecutive year.
The two sides also reached an agreement to officially begin negotiations on signing the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA). This detail—Japan’s plan to provide military assistance to the Philippines for the fourth straight year—is extremely significant. Clearly, both sides are joining forces to counter us.
This visit by Marcos Jr. to Japan came with top-tier "state guest" honors. The Emperor and Empress of Japan will host a formal dinner in his honor, and he will deliver a speech before the Japanese Diet—privileges rarely granted to foreign leaders. From this detail alone, it's clear Japan is firmly determined to draw the Philippines into its orbit.
With the signing of GSOMIA, Japan and the Philippines will be able to exchange classified military intelligence within the security domain. Japan will gain direct access to data collected by the Philippines. In the future, Japan’s satellite and radar data will be combined with real-time coastal radar scans from the Philippines, all shared and integrated.
As stated directly by Nikkei Asia Review: “Combining Japan’s Self-Defense Forces’ radar data in Okinawa with the Philippines’ military radar data will help track the movements of a certain country’s naval and air assets across vast areas.”
Japan’s vigorous efforts to arm the Philippines are driven by straightforward motives. First, Japan views the waters near the Philippines as its own “maritime lifeline,” through which a large portion of its imported oil and goods pass. Second, Japan has long sought to break free from constraints and gradually achieve military “normalization.” Exporting weapons, dispatching troops overseas, and signing military agreements were once unthinkable—but now, under the pretext of “helping the Philippines,” these actions are being carried out one by one. Third, Japan hopes the Philippines will serve as a pawn to exhaust China’s strength.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866302358907916/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.