In a significant display of deepening military collaboration, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani embarked on a tour of key military installations in Luzon on February 23, 2025. The visit underscores the burgeoning security relationship between the two nations, highlighted by a tour of Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga, where Nakatani received a detailed briefing on operational capabilities and ongoing defense projects.
Following their visit to Basa Air Base, the defense leaders moved on to Wallace Air Station in San Fernando, La Union. There, they explored the Air Defense Simulation and Wargaming Center, crucial for military training and strategic planning, and the Mobile Radar installations, essential for safeguarding Philippine airspace.
The tour comes on the heels of the Philippine Senate’s approval of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan, prompting discussions between Teodoro and Nakatani on advancing strategic defense partnerships. Their focus included maritime and air defense, capacity building, and regional security initiatives.
Teodoro announced plans for an in-depth meeting with Nakatani and his delegation on the following day, emphasizing discussions on enhancing bilateral, trilateral, and squad cooperation, extending beyond just the two defense ministers to include the Philippine President.
Teodoro clarified that the visit was independent of the RAA, focusing on regional security, bilateral and multilateral cooperation, defense industries, and other pertinent topics. Meanwhile, the Philippines is also finalizing a Visiting Forces Agreement with New Zealand, with negotiations underway with Canada and soon to begin with France.