Amid reports of a Russian Kilo II-class submarine surfacing within Philippine waters, Japan and the Philippines held their sixth Maritime Dialogue on December 3, 2024, in Manila, reaffirming their shared commitment to a rules-based, free, and open maritime order.
Senior officials from both nations agreed to expand their partnership further through trilateral consultations with the United States, the Japanese Embassy in Manila said in a press release.
“Both sides confirmed that, on the basis of today’s discussion, they will discuss ways to further strengthen cooperation at the Japan-Philippines-U.S. Maritime Consultations to be held for the first time this month in Tokyo, and continue to deepen cooperation in the maritime field to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law,” it said.
The dialogue followed reports of a Russian submarine surfacing 148 kilometers (80 nautical miles) west of Cape Calavite, Occidental Mindoro, on November 28. The incident, publicly disclosed on December 2, has heightened security concerns over foreign military activity in Philippine waters and underscored the importance of enhanced maritime cooperation.
“Both sides shared the determination to continue reinforcing their cooperation in a concrete manner, based on the discussions at the Japan-Philippines Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on November 26 on the occasion of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The Philippines side expressed their deep appreciation for the great support from Japan to date,” the Japanese Embassy said.
Both sides reviewed developments in the East and South China Seas, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a stable maritime environment. They reaffirmed their dedication to capacity building in Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), maritime law enforcement, defense coordination, and marine environmental protection.
“The two sides affirmed the importance of maintaining and strengthening the rules-based, free, and open maritime order,” it said.
Japan’s delegation was led by Shingo Miyamoto, Deputy Director-General for Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs, and the Philippines was represented by Marshall Luis M. Alferez, Assistant Secretary for Maritime and Ocean Affairs.
Officials from both countries’ defense and coast guard agencies participated in discussions addressing regional security and sovereignty challenges.
Established under the 2009 Japan-Philippines Joint Statement, the Maritime Dialogue serves as a forum for addressing shared maritime challenges. Previous meetings alternated between Tokyo and Manila, with the fourth session held virtually in 2021. Veronica Uy
