November 27, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Defense and foreign affairs officials have made another pitch at the Senate for the reciprocal access agreement (RAA) with Japan, which appears headed for early ratification by the chamber, with several senators voicing strong support for the pact.
At the hearing yesterday on RAA by the Senate committee on foreign relations chaired by Sen. Imee Marcos, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro pressed for the ratification of the agreement that he said is designed to enhance interoperability and exchange of technology with the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
“It is necessary to enter into an agreement with Japan,” Teodoro said, calling the agreement part and parcel of the country’s strategic partnership with Japan.
The RAA was signed on July 8, 2024 in Manila, transmitted to the Senate last Nov. 11 and referred to the committee the following day. The RAA allows joint military exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the JSDF.
Teodoro also pointed out that Japan is a strong supporter of the Philippines’ domain awareness capabilities, with its donation of radars and other equipment to the country.
The defense chief made it clear that under the RAA, the Japanese are not allowed to build military bases in the Philippines or join offensive activities of the AFP.
Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said the RAA can help modernize fishing technology in the Philippines.
“This is our constitutional duty to really vet this agreement and I would have wanted in hindsight to have items such as support for fisheries technology to be included, among others, for Filipino fisherfolk, considering the advanced stage of fisheries technology being employed by Japanese fisherfolk,” Tolentino said.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau cited the relevance of the RAA to the prevailing security situation in the region.
She said military cooperation with Japan will definitely redound to the benefit of the Philippine economy.
Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri said the RAA would be a game-changer for the country’s defense and disaster resilience capabilities.
“The agreement is set to not only bolster defense and security programs of the country but also revolutionize disaster management collaboration between the two nations,” Zubiri said.
“The RAA is truly a lifeline for disaster-prone nations like ours. It reflects our vision for a resilient Philippines that stands shoulder to shoulder with allies in addressing challenges, whether man-made or natural,” the senator pointed out.
Zubiri highlighted the Philippines’ strategic alignment with Japan in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. “The RAA strengthens our shared commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and to counter security threats in this vital area.”
Zubiri recalled engaging with former Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko and former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to push for the agreement’s realization.
He underscored the symbolic importance of Kishida’s historic address before the Philippine Congress last year. “That moment signified the commitment of both nations to deepen cooperation. The RAA is a testament to that pledge,” the senator said.
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