Philippines, Japan forge pact on transfer of defense equipment, technology

Japan signed Monday an agreement with the Philippines on the transfer of defense equipment and technology.

Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, who inked the pact with Japanese Ambassador to Manila Kazuhide Ishikawa, said the Philippines was the first Southeast Asian country with which Japan has such kind of an agreement and the third country it has agreed to enter into such an arrangement.

"This agreement would really substantiate the Philippines and Japan being strategic partners. And beyond the transfer of equipment, this agreement would enable our sides to conduct joint research, development and production projects," he said.