Japan Arms Manila as Both Sides Soften Tone Before ASEAN
Japan will give the Philippines drones and a coastal defence radar in a package worth up to $27 million, USNI News reported on Friday. Japan’s ambassador and Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro signed the agreement on Monday under Tokyo’s Official Security Assistance aid programme.
USNI described it as the first unmanned-system transfer between the two countries and the first through a dedicated coastal radar, which the Philippine Navy will operate.
Radio Free Asia reported this week that, ahead of the ASEAN summit in Manila from November 15 to 17, analysts say they see Manila and Beijing dialling down rhetoric. Analyst Lucio Pitlo said President Marcos has urged officials to be more cautious in their language, while fishermen told RFA that Chinese activity has cut their catches.
The package adds to Japan’s growing support for Manila as diplomacy continues. How the two tracks interact at the summit remains to be seen.