The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) welcomed the Senate’s approval of the resolution concurring in the ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan on Monday, describing it as a “significant step” toward strengthening defense cooperation between the two nations.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military organization believes that the agreement offers substantial benefits, particularly in enhancing training opportunities, joint exercises, and interoperability between the country’s armed forces and their Japanese counterparts. 

“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,” Padilla explained. 

Padilla further stressed that the partnership between Philippines and Japan’s will help the AFP address security challenges, “especially in critical areas such as the West Philippine Sea (WPS).”

She added the RAA will further solidify the AFP’s preparedness and resilience in safeguarding the country’s national sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Philippine Navy spokesperson for WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad highlighted that the RAA will help improve the country’s maritime domain awareness capabilities and information-sharing with a trusted partner nation. 

“The Philippine Navy welcomes the ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between Japan and the Philippines. This RAA allows for closer coordination and collaboration between our nations and our navies,” Trinidad said. 

As a staunch supporter of international law and a rules-based international order, Trinidad also noted that the RAA would enable the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Philippine Navy to have closer cooperation, coordination, and collaboration as we prepare our forces for external defense.