PH, Japan hold joint drills after RAA
“The Philippines and Japan conducted joint maritime exercises in the West Philippine Sea over the weekend, marking one of their first major joint activities after Japan’s Diet ratified early this month the reciprocal access agreement (RAA) between the two countries.”
“At about the same time, China’s military held joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea, according to Tian Junli, a spokesperson for the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy.”
” ‘More than a maritime drill, the MCA underscored the operationalization of the RAA—an accord that lays the groundwork for increased joint training, humanitarian assistance, and disaster response initiatives between the AFP and JMSDF,’ the Armed Forces of the Philippines said.”
” ‘With the RAA now in effect, our coordination with Japan will only grow stronger and more responsive to the complex demands of our shared security environment,’ AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. was quoted as saying.”
https://www.inquirer.net/446985/ph-japan-hold-joint-drills-after-raa/