Philippines Senate ratifies new defence pact with Japan
Al Jazeera
The Philippines and Japan have deepened military ties amid shared concerns over China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
The Philippines has ratified a new defence pact with Japan that would allow each country’s military to deploy on each other’s soil amid increased regional tensions with China.
The Philippine Senate announced the ratification in a statement on Monday, saying it would “enhance the interoperability” between Japanese and Philippine forces.
“Ratifying the agreement further affirms the strategic partnership between the two countries and their mutual goal to enhance contribution to regional and international peace, security and stability,” the Senate said.
Japan’s ambassador to Manila, Kazuya Endo, was in attendance for the passing of the agreement.
Endo welcomed the finalisation of the agreement in a statement and on social media, saying he hoped it would “facilitate the implementation of cooperative activities between the forces of the two countries, further promote security and defence cooperation, and firmly support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region”.
