A Manila-based think tank says the Philippines should move faster to join AZEC and avoid energy deals that could invite geopolitical pressure.
The Philippines is being urged to push harder into Japan-led energy cooperation through AZEC, even as policymakers are warned to guard against arrangements that may come with political strings.
In a statement shared by Misryoum, Stratbase Institute called on the government to accelerate its participation in the Japan-led Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) and to prioritize partnerships with “like-minded” countries, including Japan, rather than deals that could expose Manila to pressure linked to regional disputes.. Misryoum said the message arrived after the visit of Fumio Kishida, described as a special envoy connected to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and as Supreme Adviser to the Parliamentary Association of AZEC.
The institute framed the push for AZEC as part of wider efforts to deepen Philippines-Japan cooperation on energy transition and energy security. It also urged the government to use the momentum from planned high-level engagements to advance energy projects under the AZEC framework.
Insight: The emphasis on speed and selection in energy partnerships matters because power supply and fuel reliability tend to affect far more than energy policy, influencing wider economic stability.
Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres Manhit warned that any energy arrangement tied to concessions in the West Philippine Sea, or that overlooks coercion there, could weaken national interests.. Misryoum noted this view in the context of ongoing tensions in the area and the broader security concerns they raise.
Manhit’s remarks referenced discussion points around potential joint energy exploration, including talks that involve China in the West Philippine Sea.. He pointed to a backdrop in which China continues to assert claims, despite a prior arbitral ruling that invalidated expansive claims associated with that dispute.
In contrast, Misryoum reported that Manhit described AZEC as a “credible and forward-looking framework” aimed at clean energy transition, energy security, and decarbonization.. The institute said the Philippines’ participation is especially timely as countries search for more resilient energy systems amid a global energy crunch tied to instability in the Middle East.
Insight: Energy transition plans can become more than climate strategies when they are tied to security, logistics, and regional leverage, which is why the terms of cooperation are scrutinized.
The statement also warned against proposals from “untrustworthy nations” that could carry geopolitical risks, citing reported harassment of Philippine vessels and disregard for international law in the West Philippine Sea.. Meanwhile, Misryoum said Manhit argued that Japan’s cooperation approach should be treated as a model built on transparency, respect for international law, and capacity-building.
During Kishida’s visit, he met President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.. and Energy Secretary Sharon Garin to discuss deeper AZEC collaboration.. Misryoum also reported that the Philippines and Japan are set to co-host the 4th AZEC Leaders’ Meeting in November, which Manhit described as recognition of Manila’s growing strategic role in the Indo-Pacific.
Insight: For Misryoum, the timing of these meetings suggests the Philippines is trying to align energy planning with its broader diplomatic and security posture, at a moment when energy access is a strategic concern.