(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the Philippines' security cooperation with the US and Japan was "proceeding very well" — a trilateral partnership aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, including the disputed South China Sea.

The President issued the statement during the farewell call of outgoing Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa in Malacañang on Friday.

In his remarks, the President said the Philippines and Japan entered a new phase in their relationship in terms of defense and security, trade and investment, and infrastructure development during Koshikawa's term.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed his gratitude Friday to outgoing Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa particularly as Japan and the Philippines enter a new phase in their relationship in terms of defense and security, trade and investment, infrastructure development, as well as advancing peace in Mindanao. Presidential Communication Office

"On the security side, much has been achieved. We are now talking about the cooperation between the US, Japan and the Philippines, and I think that's proceeding very well," Marcos said.

Maritime security continues to be a key area of cooperation in the Philippines' ties with Japan and the US, with both countries often offering assistance and support for the Philippines' position in the South China Sea.

Like the Philippines, Japan is also in a maritime dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa prefecture.

Beijing's aggression in the West Philippine Sea has increased under the Marcos Jr. administration, with Philippine vessels being rammed by Chinese boats and the Philippine Coast Guard being hit with a water cannon.

Last week, the President described as "worrisome" the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea, including the presence of the Chinese navy, interference in the Philippine Navy's communication systems, and China's installation of a floating barrier in the Scarborough Shoal.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning had insisted that the Scarborough Shoal was part of Beijing's territory and it was "compelled to take necessary measures" because Manila's actions in the shoal "infringe on China's sovereignty."

The Scarborough Shoal, which has been under China's control for more than two decades, was declared by a 2016 arbitral ruling to be traditional fishing grounds for Filipino, Chinese and Vietnamese fishers.

Beijing, which has claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, has rejected the arbitral ruling.

Vital role in BARMM Meanwhile, the President thanked Koshikawa for his vital role in Japan's initiatives to provide assistance to the Philippines for the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

"It used to be just economic and trade, but in terms of security and defense, also that, and I'm glad that you mentioned the assistance that the Japanese, that Japan, rather, has given to the BARMM," Marcos said.

"It has been very critical because as the elections come, it will be the first parliamentary election," he added.

Marcos also emphasized Japan's contributions to developing the Philippines' agriculture sector, citing the coordination and opening of the lines of communication with Japanese experts to help Filipinos learn new things.

Koshikawa, for his part, expressed confidence that he was leaving his diplomatic post with Japan and the Philippines entering a new phase in their relations.

"Furthermore, maintaining a maritime order based on the rule of law is the most important common objective of most countries," Koshikawa said.

"Japan will continue to support [the] Mindanao peace process, in particular, in the election scheduled next year. In this context, I think the Japanese government is ready to consider the assistance necessary for the implementation of the election laws," he added.

Strategic partnership Koshikawa said Japan would also continue to support infrastructure projects under the Marcos administration's Build, Better, More Program, including the Metro Manila Subway Project, North-South Commuter Railway Project, and the Davao Bypass Construction Project.

Koshikawa's term will end on March 5, and he will be replaced by Endo Kazuya.

Under Koshikawa's watch, the Philippines and Japan have further deepened their defense and security cooperation through the existing dialogue mechanisms and witnessed the conclusion of the Official Security Assistance through brand new Coastal Radar Systems.

The two nations have also commenced negotiations on the Reciprocal Access Agreement and are expecting a conclusion soon.

They have also maintained a robust Strategic Partnership and witnessed laying down the groundwork for trilateral cooperation with the US.

Japan is also a generous partner of the administration's Build, Better, More Program and an ardent supporter in the quest for peace and economic development in Mindanao.

The Philippines and Japan celebrated 67 years of relations on July 23, 2022, and 11 years of Strengthened Strategic Partnership since 2011.

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