PH, Japan reciprocal access agreement to allow Filipino, Japanese soldiers to joint training

MANILA, Philippines, September 12 ------ The Philippines and Japan have entered into a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that would allow Filipino soldiers to hold combat training with their counterparts in Tokyo.

The Department of National Defense (DND) said the agreement between Manila and Tokyo carried forward a “robust strategic partnership validating the strength [of] our people-to-people ties, shared values and international principles, and common purpose for the security and stability of the region.”

The DND expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Philippine Senate and the Japanese government for the collective support given to boost stronger military partnership between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF). Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko signed the partnership in July during the Japanese official's courtesy call on the president who witnessed the signing ceremony.

Col. Francel Padilla, AFP spokesman, on Tuesday said plans were in place, but there were no immediate and upcoming activities. However, a team from the AFP has left for Japan to train for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) operations.

Source: manilatimes.net