MANILA – Senators on Monday unanimously approved Senate Resolution No. 1248 which concurs to the ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan.
The measure is expected to strengthen the cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, in his manifestation, said he expects the RAA to deepen ties between the Philippines and Japan in ensuring peace and security in the Asia-Pacific Region.
“As the President of the Philippine-Japan Parliamentary Association, I welcome and celebrate this concurrence and I look forward to the ways in which partnerships between our Armed Forces and the Self-Defense Forces of Japan will enhance our security and defense capabilities, and especially our disaster management efforts,” Zubiri said.
For Senator Joel Villanueva, the Senate’s concurrence to the ratification of the RAA further solidifies the two nations’ commitment to promote regional and global peace and stability.
“It will be remembered in history as one of the highlights of our diplomatic partnership, which now spans almost seven decades,” Villanueva said.
Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda explained that her affirmative vote is equivalent to her trust for the RAA which is crucial in strengthening the country’s security and reinforces its regional partnerships.
“This legal framework before us today is a reinforcement of our commitment to enhance confidence-building measures that effectively alleviate tensions, proactively prevent disputes, and mitigate escalation of ongoing disputes in the Asia-Pacific region,” Legarda said.
The Philippines-Japan RAA, which was signed on July 8, 2024 in Manila, outlines the provisions on entry and departure, movement, access to facilities, and professional practice of the visiting force and civilian component for the purpose of cooperative activities, as well as the rules governing the jurisdiction over the actions of the Visiting Force and Civilian Component.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ratified the agreement on November 5, 2024 and has submitted it to the Senate for concurrence in accordance with the Philippine Constitution.
Senators also approved Senate Bill (SB) No. 2898 or the Investors’ Lease Act; SB 2878 or the proposed reorganization of the National Economic Development Authority; SB 2575 or the Early Years Act; SB 2799 or the creation of the Metro Bataan Development Authority; SB 1273 which recognizes proper burial of Muslim Filipinos; Indigenous Peoples, and other denominations; SB 2872 which declares 16th day of May every year as “National Education Support Personnel Day.”
Other bills approved by the Senate include declaring as protected areas the Paoay Lake, San Francisco Protected Landscape, Alibijaban Protected Landscape, Taklong and Tandog Group of Islands, Aurora Memorial Protected Landscape, Mt. Sawtooth Protected Landscape, Mt. Masaraga Protected Landscape, waters surrounding Panaon Island as a protected seascape, Mt. Gutom Protected Landscape, and Sultan Naga Dimaporo Protected Landscape.
The AFP said the Senate’s approval of the resolution “provides substantial benefits, particularly in enhancing training opportunities, joint exercises, and interoperability.”
“In terms of our territorial defense posture, the RAA will bolster our maritime domain awareness capabilities through technology transfers, intelligence sharing, and strengthened collaboration with Japan, a country with advanced defense systems,” military spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said.
Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, said the RAA will allow the service to have closer cooperation with the JMSDF.
“Being a staunch supporter of international law and a rules-based international order, the RAA will allow the JMSDF and the PN to have closer cooperation, coordination and collaboration as we prepare our forces for external defense,” Trinidad said in a message to the media.
“For external defense, the RAA will help improve our maritime domain awareness capabilities and info sharing with a partner nation,” Trinidad added. (with reports from Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)