A high-ranking official from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) revealed that the upcoming trilateral meeting between the Philippines, United States, and Japan will primarily focus on economic relations and not on targeting any specific country.
During a Palace briefing, DFA Undersecretary Hans Mohaimin Siriban disclosed that the main agenda of the meeting will center on promoting peace in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized that the discussions will revolve around enhancing economic cooperation to bolster economic resilience.
While the primary focus is on economic matters, there is a possibility that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida may also address tensions in the West Philippine Sea. The aim would be to advocate for the freedom of navigation and the protection of Filipino fishermen in the area.
Philippine Ambassador to the U.S., Jose Manuel Romualdez, mentioned in an interview with ANC that the trilateral summit could address China’s maritime aggression. He reaffirmed the Philippines’ stance on defending its territories while also expressing willingness to engage in serious discussions to resolve territorial disputes.
It is expected that the three leaders will release a joint statement following the summit. The White House previously announced that the trilateral summit will take place on April 11 to reaffirm the strong alliance between the US, Japan, and the Philippines.
The timing of the trilateral meeting is significant as tensions in the West Philippine Sea have escalated, particularly after a recent incident involving a water cannon that injured three Navy personnel. The summit is anticipated to address these ongoing disputes and reinforce the commitment to regional stability and cooperation.
