Philippines Senate ratifies new defense pact with Japan. south china sea news
The Philippines and Japan have deepened military ties amid shared concerns over China’s growing aggression in the region.
The Philippines has ratified a new defense pact with Japan that will allow each country’s military to deploy to each other’s soil amid rising regional tensions with China.
The Philippine Senate announced the ratification in a statement on Monday, saying it would “enhance interoperability” between Japanese and Philippine forces.
“Approving the agreement reaffirms the strategic partnership between the two countries and their mutual goal of enhancing their contribution to regional and international peace, security and stability,” the Senate said.
Japan’s ambassador to Manila, Kazuya Endo, was present at the passage of the agreement.
Endo welcomed the finalization of the agreement in a statement and on social media, saying he hoped it would “facilitate the implementation of cooperative activities between the militaries of the two countries, promote security and defense cooperation, and strengthen will support peace and stability.” Indo-Pacific region”
Secretary of Defense. Gilbert Teodoro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs. Enrique Manalo and Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Endo Kazuya received a copy of the resolution adopted on the Senate’s concurrence in ratifying the PH-Japan RAA. #SenatePH pic.twitter.com/vz2lBcS4LS
– Senate of the Philippines (@senatePH) 16 December 2024
The agreement between the two countries was signed in July over China’s growing aggression in the region and shared concerns about confrontations between Philippine and Chinese naval vessels in disputed areas of the South China Sea.
China claims much of the South China Sea, a major focal point for global shipping, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam dispute these claims.
Known as the Reciprocating Access Agreement (RAA), Japanese lawmakers must now also ratify the agreement for it to be fully implemented.
Under the arrangement, movement of troops and equipment between the two countries will be streamlined to facilitate combat training and disaster response.
The Ratification of the RAA by the Philippines signals the deepening of military ties between the two countries, unlike the case when Japan invaded the country during World War II.
The Philippines and Japan both host United States military bases and personnel, while Japan has similar RAA deals with Australia and the United Kingdom, and is negotiating another with France.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila has not made any public comment on this development.
