Latest news with #ReciprocalAccessAgreement
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Chinese military patrols South China Sea amidst Philippines-Japan joint drills
Manila: As the Philippines and Japan conducted a joint drill in South China Sea, the Chinese military held joint sea and air patrols in the disputed waters. China's People Liberation Army Southern Theater Command organized joint sea and air patrol in the South China Sea on Saturday, its spokesperson Colonel Tian Junli, stated on Sunday, emphasizing that any military activities that stir up trouble in the South China Sea and create hotspot issues are fully under control, Chinese media outlet Global Times said. In a statement released by the PLA Southern Theatre Command, cited by Global Times, Tian said that "the Philippines' act of rallying countries from outside the region to organise so-called joint patrols escalated security risks in the South China Sea and undermined regional peace and stability." The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday that Filipino military units and their counterparts from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted the second bilateral maritime cooperative exercise in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend. The West Philippine Sea is the portion of the South China Sea that is claimed by the Philippines as part of its maritime claims. In a media statement, Philippines Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the bilateral maritime exercise signifies a major step in defense cooperation under the newly ratified Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan. The June 14 maritime cooperative activity was held west of Zambales up to the west-northwest of Occidental Mindoro, within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, Padilla said, according to the Philippine News Agency (PNA). During the bilateral exercises, the Philippine Army deployed the newly commissioned guided missile frigate, BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), and an AW-159 "Wildcat" anti-submarine helicopter. Also sent to participate were a Philippine Air Force C-208 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, along with search-and-rescue units. Meanwhile, the Japanese deployed the guided missile destroyer JS Takanami (DDG-110) and an SH-60K "Seahawk" helicopter, showcasing joint maritime capabilities in various operational scenarios. The spokesperson for the Philippines Armed Forces said that two Chinese military vessels--Luyang III (DDG-161) and Jiangkai II (FFG-579)--were monitored during the Philippine-Japan maritime exercises. "There were no reported incidents or close encounters. Both forces maintained a professional and secure operating environment, reinforcing their abilities to coordinate effectively in dynamic maritime settings," Padilla was cited as saying by the PNA news outlet. She noted that the first bilateral exercise with Japan was conducted on August 2, 2024.
GMA Network
6 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH, Japan forces hold 2nd Maritime Cooperative Activity in WPS
The navies of the Philippines and Japan over the weekend held the second bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA), following the ratification of Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) that the two countries inked in July 2024. The MCA included communication checks, anti-submarine warfare, cross-deck exercises, division tactics and officer of the watch maneuvers (DIVTACS/OOW), photo exercises, and a Finish exercise (FINEX) between the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Participating in the recent MCA were the guided missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar, its assigned AW159 anti-submarine helicopter, a PAF C-208 ISR aircraft, and search and rescue units. Japan deployed the destroyer JS Takanami and its embarked SH-60K Seahawk helicopter. 'This cooperative activity is more than a display of maritime capability — it is a manifestation of our enduring commitment to uphold peace, stability, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific,' Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said in a statement on Sunday. 'With the RAA now in effect, our coordination with Japan will only grow stronger and more responsive to the complex demands of our shared environment,' he added. The RAA was signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbero Teodoro Jr. last July, with aims to heighten defense cooperation between the two countries in the middle of escalating tensions in the South China Sea. To recall, leaders of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States in April 2024 released a Joint Vision Statement indicating the possibility of more combined naval training and exercises, with Manila set to receive support for its defense modernization priorities. Prior to this, naval and air forces of the three countries and Australia conducted a multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea, in line with their commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
IRR of PH, Japan RAA expected to be crafted soon
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan are expected to be crafted soon. 'We're expecting this to happen soon, but there's no really direct timeline that's being given,' AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing. Last week, Philippine Ambassador Mylene Garcia-Albano said Japan's Diet ratified the RAA allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint drills with Filipino troops in the Philippines. Padilla noted that prior to the signing of the RAA, the two countries already have existing mechanisms that can be enhanced and expanded to different branches of military service. 'In the recent Balikatan exercises, they were actively participating as observers in different activities that we've conducted. We also have maritime patrols with Japan actively participating. And so we're looking at something to develop more like a [visiting forces agreement] of sorts,' Padilla said. 'So we'll see in the coming days how these will all ensue and come into place,' she added. The RAA, which similarly allows Filipino soldiers to enter Japan for joint combat drills, was approved by the Philippine Senate on December 2024. Japan and the Philippines are establishing closer security ties in reaction to China's aggressive territorial assertions. Tokyo and Beijing are locked in a long-running territorial dispute over the Senkaku islands, which the Chinese call Diaoyu, in the East Sea. Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim. The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and the waters around, within, and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." China has refused to recognize the decision. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
India.com
08-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
China Cornered; Xi's Worst Nightmare? Two Asian Rivals Seal Explosive Military Deal
New Delhi: Japan has formally ratified the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with the Philippines after months of speculation and delays. Though Manila approved the pact nearly a year ago, Tokyo's green light came only recently. It marks a significant moment in Asia's shifting strategic landscape. The final push came after Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's high-profile visit to the Philippines that showcased how seriously both countries are taking China's increasing aggression. Under the agreement, Japanese and Filipino forces will now be able to train and operate on each other's territories. This includes live-fire military drills and joint exercises, an unprecedented move considering Japan's post-WWII military restrictions. Analysts call it a strategic masterstroke against China, which has ongoing maritime disputes with both nations over contested islands in the East and South China Seas. Manila had already signalled its commitment back in 2024. In a ceremony held in July that year, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa formally signed the deal. Even President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended the event, reinforcing the high level of political and military will behind the pact. Philippine Ambassador to Japan, Mylene Garcia-Albano, did not hold back. In a statement on Friday, she welcomed the Japanese upper house's approval of the RAA and declared it a 'major milestone' that now completes the legislative process in Tokyo. According to her, this agreement will simplify joint training and disaster relief deployments and will boost military cooperation between the two nations. This deal is considered to be groundbreaking. It marks the first time since World War II that Japanese troops will return to Philippine soil, which they once occupied during wartime. Until now, Japan had signed similar agreements only with allies like Australia and the United Kingdom. With this step, it boldly enters the Asian military partnership arena. An Anti-China Alliance in the Making? Japan and the Philippines are both close allies of the United States, and this agreement comes amid growing concern over China's rising belligerence in the region. From the East China Sea to the South China Sea, China has repeatedly flexed its military muscles, claimed territory and tested regional limits. But this new axis between Tokyo and Manila could be the most serious check on Beijing's power yet. Xi Jinping's ambitions for regional hegemony may have just hit a serious roadblock.
South China Morning Post
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Japan-Philippines military drills to become a reality after Tokyo ratifies defence pact
Japan has ratified its reciprocal access agreement (RAA) with the Philippines six months after Manila did, with the long-awaited move seen as a signal that Manila has proved its value as a strategic and defence partner to Tokyo. Advertisement The ratification by the Diet follows Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba 's recent visit to the Philippines, with analysts previously observing that the trip suggested his administration was poised to finalise the agreement. The RAA allows the deployment of Filipino and Japanese forces on each other's soil for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills, amid mutual geopolitical tensions with China. The Diet approved the agreement on Friday, half a year after the Philippine Senate. The pact was signed by Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa in a ceremony in Manila in July 2024, which was attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr 'We welcome today's approval of the Reciprocal Access Agreement between the Philippines and Japan by the House of Councillors, which completes the approval process in the Japanese Diet,' Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano said in a statement on Friday. Advertisement The RAA is expected to improve military collaboration between the two nations by simplifying the deployment processes for joint training and disaster relief missions.
