PH, Japan Begin Preliminary Consultations On Defense Pact; Treaty Needs Senate Ratification

The Philippines and Japan are preparing for preliminary consultations for a proposed Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) which will allow both countries to deploy troops in each other's territory for defense training purposes.

The potential defense pact is expected to boost security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific zone amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea.

Senator Francis Tolentino, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, proposed in January, the conduct of a multilateral show of maritime security cooperation with the United States and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as China continues to assert its presence in the country's Exclusive Economic Zones.

Tolentino explained that expanding the conduct of joint patrols between other countries with maritime claims inside the South China Sea will help ensure the freedom of navigation, the exercise of fishing rights and quell tensions due to territorial disputes.

This week, Tolentino said the proposed defense agreement between the Philippines and Japan may need the concurrence of the Senate.

If the primary nature of the agreement is through a treaty, "then, it must be done precisely in accordance with the 1987 Constitution, and thus, must be ratified by members of the Senate," the senator said in an official statement on Tuesday.

Previously, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa confirmed that the Philippine and Japanese governments are "just about to start the consultation for negotiations," a report from Manila Standard said.

Meanwhile, China deployed three navigational beacons close to Irving Reef, Whitson Reef and Gaven Reef around the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

The beacons are meant to "ensure the safety of ships' navigation and operations," China's China's Transport Ministry on Wednesday said in this Reuters report.

Earlier this month, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) installed five navigational buoys along the "critical areas" in the West Philippine Sea. The buoys, carrying the Philippine flag were installed on Patag Island, Balagtas Reef, Kota Island, Panata Island and Juan Felipe Reef.

"This move highlights the Philippines' unwavering resolve to protect its maritime borders and resources and contribute to the safety of maritime trade," Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG's spokesperson on South China Sea issues said in this news report.