The Philippines and Japan have deepened military ties amid shared concerns about China's growing dominance in the region.
The Philippines has ratified a new defense pact with Japan that would allow each country's military to be deployed on each other's soil amid heightened regional tensions with China.
The Philippine Senate announced the reinforcement in a statement on Monday, saying it would “increase the interoperability” between the Japanese and Philippine forces.
“Reaffirming the agreement reinforces the strategic partnership between the two countries and their mutual goal to contribute to regional and international peace, security and stability,” said the Senate.
Japan's ambassador to Manila, Kazuya Endo, was present to present the agreement.
Endo welcomed the conclusion of the agreement in a statement and on social media, saying that he hoped to “help implement cooperative activities between the forces of the two countries, promoting further cooperation security and defense operations, and strongly support peace and stability in the country. Indo-Pacific region”.
Department of Defense. Gilbert Teodoro, Department of Foreign Affairs. Enrique Manalo, and the Ambassador of Japan to the Philippines Endo Kazuya will receive a copy of the resolution adopted on the agreement of the Senate in the ratification of RAA PH-Japan. #SenatePH pic.twitter.com/vz2lBcS4LS
– Senate of the Philippines (@senatePH) December 16, 2024
The agreement between the two countries was signed in July over shared concerns about China's growing influence in the region and clashes between Philippine and Chinese naval vessels in disputed areas in the South China Sea.
China claims much of the South China Sea, a major focal point for global shipping, but these claims are disputed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Known as the bilateral access agreement (RAA)Japanese lawmakers must also ratify the agreement for its full implementation.
Under the arrangement, the movement of troops and equipment between the two countries will be smoothed to facilitate combat training and disaster response.
The ratification of the RAA by the Philippines marks a deepening of military ties between the two countries, a reversal from when Japan invaded the country during World War II.
Both the Philippines and Japan host United States military bases and personnel, while Japan has similar RAA agreements with Australia and the United Kingdom, and is in talks for another with France. .
The Chinese embassy in Manila has not made any public comment on the development.
