Philippine Army Spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said that the country’s signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Japan will enhance the Philippine Army’s capabilities “definitely through bilateral exercises.”
However, Dema-ala said to Manila Standard that as of now, possible roles of the Army in joint exercises with Tokyo is still undetermined since the agreement needs to be ratified from both country’s respective legislation bodies.
“We cannot say pa kung ano ang participation ng Army sa joint exercises since hindi pa na-raratify ng both Japan and Philippine congress ang RAA,” he said.
Dema-ala also explained that the RAA’s implementing rules and regulations (IRR) also needs to be agreed upon by both the Armed Forces of Manila and Tokyo before its enforcement.
When asked about the potential deployment of equipment for the joint exercises of both countries, Dema-ala said that “it will still depend on the final agreement. We cannot say pa as of now kung ano ang mapagkasunduan.”
Through the said agreement, Dema-ala said that the RAA may enhance not only the Philippine Army’s capabilities but also Tokyo’s force in terms of interoperability in warfighting, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, among others.
“Depende pa kasi kung ano ang mga mapagkakasunduan at ma-approve na areas na maging focus ng agreement. But basically yung interoperability of both armies in warfighting, HADR, cyber, etc,” he said.
The RAA was signed last week by both countries in Manila, which would allow Filipino and Japanese troops to operate and train in either country following the 2nd Japan-Philippines Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting.
Philippine Army troops composed of more or less than 120,000 personnel according to Dema-ala.
