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The Philippine Navy welcomes the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Samidare (DD-106) upon its arrival in Manila for a Goodwill visit on December 3, 2024. Photo courtesy NPAO/File

The Philippine Navy welcomes the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Samidare (DD-106) upon its arrival in Manila for a Goodwill visit on December 3, 2024. Photo courtesy NPAO

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173442128973720241205-ph-navy-japan-sdf-HO-1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">The Philippine Navy welcomes the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s JS Samidare (DD-106) upon its arrival in Manila for a Goodwill visit on December 3, 2024.<em> Photo courtesy NPAO/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines said the Senate approval of the resolution concurring in the ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan was a significant step in strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations.<br/><br/>AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military believed the agreement would provide substantial benefits, particularly in enhancing training opportunities, joint exercises and interoperability between the two countries’ defense forces.<br/><br/>In terms of territorial defense, the RAA will bolster the AFP’s maritime domain awareness capabilities through technology transfers, intelligence sharing and strengthened collaboration with its Japanese counterpart, Padilla added.</p><p><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/17/ph-navy-holds-over-500-patrols-surveillance-flights-resupply-missions-in-west-ph-sea-in-2024-1422">PH Navy holds over 500 maritime patrols, surveillance flights, resupply missions in West PH Sea in 2024</a><br/><br/>&quot;With due respect to and consistent with the laws and regulations of the receiving state, the Philippines and Japan are expected to undertake more in-depth practical military cooperation and exercises under the RAA,&quot; Padilla told reporters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Tuesday. </p><p>&quot;This would cover defense cooperation activities and exercises that aim to respond to the current security landscape, such as but not limited to the enhancement of technological cybersecurity needs, development of maritime domain awareness capabilities, expanding training and education exchanges, and strengthening humanitarian assistance and disaster response.&quot;<br/><br/>She went on, &quot;This partnership will help the AFP address security challenges, especially in critical areas, such as the West Philippine Sea, and further solidify our preparedness and resilience in safeguarding national sovereignty.&quot;<br/><br/>Padilla said the ratification of the RAA makes a case for the involvement of Japan in huge military exercises by the AFP, including the Balikatan Exercise with the United States.</p><p><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/12/16/marcos-denies-conducting-loyalty-check-among-pnp-afp-personnel-1807">Marcos denies conducting &#x27;loyalty check&#x27; among PNP, AFP personnel</a><br/><br/>In previous iterations of the annual bilateral exercise, Japan participated only as an observer.<br/><br/>“Ang gusto nating mangyari dito is tantamount to having a VFA [Visiting Forces Agreement] with Japan. ‘Yan ang gusto nating ma-achieve, and over and above that, not just Japan but other nations also follow suit,” Padilla said.<br/><br/>“All of these [exercises with Japan] are in the pipeline. We cannot yet announce, but we are looking at more interoperability exercises, the same with what we are doing in Balikatan exercises, Salaknib exercises, at talaga namang nagjo-join na ang Japan in our multilateral exercises. We’ll have more of those,” she continued.<br/><br/>The Department of National Defense on Tuesday welcomed the Senate’s approval of the RAA between Manila and Tokyo.<br/><br/>In a statement, DND spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong said the RAA would heighten defense and security cooperation, and enhance interoperability between the AFP and the Japan Self-Defense Forces.<br/><br/>“We extend our gratitude to His Excellency, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and our esteemed senators led by Senate President Francis Escudero, Majority Floor Leader Senator Francis Tolentino and Foreign Relations Chairperson Senator Imee Marcos for ensuring the realization of this landmark agreement,” Andolong said.<br/><br/>The RAA is set to be approved by the Japanese government’s National Diet, in accordance with Japan’s domestic legal process, to render it valid and binding upon both countries.<br/><br/>&quot;We look forward to the implementation of the RAA, which will enable our militaries to expand our defense cooperation and build trust and confidence amongst each other amid shared security challenges,” Andolong said.<br/><br/>“Pursuing collaborative partnerships with like-minded nations is essential as we continue to fortify our own defense capabilities. The RAA with Japan is a testament to the Philippines’ unequivocal commitment to peace, security, and stability of the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.<br/><br/>The RAA was signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko in Manila on July 8, after months of talks.<br/><br/>The pact allows the two countries to deploy troops on each other’s soil as they boost defense ties.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RWSvfVxIrd0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The AFP said the Senate approval of the resolution concurring in the ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan was a significant step in strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations.</p>

The AFP said the Senate approval of the resolution concurring in the ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan was a significant step in strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations.

Philippines-Japan defense pact to allow troops' cooperation, training: AFP

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Philippines-Japan defense pact to allow troops' cooperation, training: AFP

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 17, 2024 04:04 PM PHT

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