Ratification of PH-Japan military access pact hailed

Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Garcia-Albano welcomed the approval of the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) by Japan's House of Councilors, the final step in the approval process under the Japanese Diet, the country’s congressional body.

- By RAYMUND ANTONIO and MARTIN SADONGDONG

"The RAA is a testament to the trust and enduring friendship between the Philippines and Japan," the envoy said in a statement on Friday, June 6.

"It will enhance our ability to work closely together in promoting a rules-based order governed by international law," she added.

She expressed gratitude to the Japanese government and people "for their steadfast support and continued collaboration."

"We look forward to the full implementation of this agreement and to building an even more resilient and forward-looking partnership in the years ahead," Garcia-Albano said.

This sentiment was shared by Department of National Defense (DND) which underscored that the new pact would allow "the Philippines and Japan to work more closely together on defense and security matters."