PH, Japan ink Reciprocal Access Agreement to boost defense cooperation
PH, Japan ink Reciprocal Access Agreement to boost defense cooperation
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Understanding that at the moment our equipment and military capability are not enough to cover and protect our own territory,
00:07defense packs like the one signed today with our long-standing ally, Japan,
00:11will ensure that we are not left totally defenseless should the unthinkable actually happen.
00:16Soojin Kim fills us in on this morale-boosting development in this report.
00:22The Philippines and Japan are strengthening defense cooperation through the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement, or RAA,
00:30which gives both countries the capacity to conduct military exercises within each other's territories.
00:36President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. himself witnessed the signing.
00:40I'm glad that having witnessed the commencement, the beginnings of this agreement,
00:47that it has now come to fruition and that we are ready now to sign the reciprocal agreement.
00:55So once again, welcome to the Philippines.
00:59I'm happy that you were able to come and visit to witness or to be part of this very important event.
01:07We look forward to putting into flesh, so to speak,
01:13the steps forward now that we have upgraded our partnership one level higher
01:21by the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement.
01:24This also allows for defense personal deployment, use of weapons and ammunitions, as well as disaster relief operations.
01:32This, Defense Secretary Teodoro explains, is a way to ensure rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.
01:39We thank the government of Japan for the assistance rendered to us in several fields, such as the economy and trade.
01:49But this year, we add another dimension by adding the vital aspect of security.
01:57The Philippines and Japan are working hand-in-hand to create a global architecture
02:02that will ensure peace and stability through continuous multilateral efforts.
02:07Both countries look forward to more confidence-building programs between their armed forces.
02:12The relationship between Japan and the Philippines has seen great strides in defense and security.
02:17Some senators have expressed satisfaction with this development.
02:21Senate President Francis Escudero himself says he fully supports the agreement.
02:26Senator J.V. Ejercito says this is the kind of aid the Philippines needs
02:30in order to put a stop to the bullying and aggression China continues to inflict on the country and its people.
02:36Senator Alan Cayetano adds it is beneficial for the country to gain allies.
02:40In a sense, in a positive way, we need all the help we can get.
02:45However, you can expect reactions once you join the military or semi-military.
02:53This can still be discussed in the Senate.
02:57So it's good to have allies.
02:59Whatever is good for the country.
03:01The interest of the country, the interest of the Filipinos.
03:05Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations says it will scrutinize the treaty extensively
03:10to ensure it promotes the country's national interest.
03:13The ministers underscored their unwavering commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight,
03:18consistent with the provisions of UNCLOS,
03:20and expressed serious concern over the dangerous and escalatory actions by China at Second Thomas Shoal,
03:27where their actions obstructed freedom of navigation and disrupted supply lines.
03:32The developments today are expected to bring in greater dividends to people
03:35while allowing for greater interoperability and exchange of information.
03:39Philippine Secretary for National Defense Gilberto Teodoro also reaffirms
03:43that this will not just merely be signed deeds but will have actual follow-throughs in action.
03:48Sujin Kim from the National TV Network for the New and Better Philippines.