MANILA, Philippines – Malugod na tinanggap ni National Security adviser Eduardo Año ang balita ng ratipikasyon ng Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) ng Japanese National Diet.
Layon ng kasunduan na maglagay ng Japanese forces para sa joint drills kasama ang mga tropang Pinoy sa Pilipinas, at nagbibigay pagkakataon sa mga sundalong Filipino na pumasok sa Japan para sa kaparehong aktibidad.
“This is a defining moment in Philippine-Japan defense relations: timely, strategic, and grounded in shared interests,” ani Año, pinuno ng National Security Council.
Aniya, ang RAA ay higit pa sa joint operations, training, at humanitarian missions sa pagitan ng dalawang bansa.
“It gives both nations the tools to act together, credibly and effectively, at a time when the security environment in the Indo-Pacific is becoming more volatile,” sinabi pa ni Año.
Ang RAA na pinirmahan noong Hulyo 8, 2024, ay ang kauna-unahang kasunduan ng Japan sa kasamahang bansa sa Asya.
Mayroong kaparehong kasunduan ang Japan sa Australia at United Kingdom.
Naglalatag ito ng mga pamamaraan para sa cooperative activities na isasagawa ng Self-Defense Forces of Japan at Armed Forces of the Philippines habang bumibisita sa kani-kanilang bansa.
“Japan’s choice to pursue its first such agreement in Asia with the Philippines speaks to the deep trust between our nations and a shared understanding of what is at stake,” ani Año.
“We thank the Government of Japan for its resolve and foresight. The Philippines is fully committed to operationalizing this agreement and working with Japan to advance peace, security, and resilience in our region and across the world.” RNT/JGC
