Wed Sep 25 07:49:46 UTC 2024: ## Philippines-Japan Defense Pact Faces Delay, Ratification Uncertain
**MANILA, Philippines** — The Philippine Senate may not be able to ratify a crucial defense pact with Japan this year, casting doubt on the timeline for allowing Japanese troops on Philippine soil for the first time since World War II.
The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), signed by Tokyo and Manila in July, aims to counter China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea. The agreement establishes a framework for joint military training, drills, and maritime patrols, and defines the legal status of visiting troops.
However, Senate President Francis Escudero revealed on Tuesday that the chamber has yet to receive the signed agreement from government agencies, delaying the ratification process. “How can I give you a timeline if we haven’t received the proposed treaty for ratification?” he asked during a press conference.
Escudero said that while the document is still under review, time is running out. Once ratified by both the Senate and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the RAA will allow Japanese troops to operate on Philippine soil, a significant move given the historical context of Japanese occupation during World War II.
“As soon as we get it, probably it would take us about a month to deliberate on it and put it to a vote,” Escudero said. “So hopefully we would be able to do it within the year if they give it to us before the end of October.”
The RAA has faced opposition from some Filipino activist groups, including Lila Pilipina, which represents victims of wartime military sexual slavery by Japanese troops. The group argues that the agreement represents a troubling resurgence of Japanese military ambitions and highlights concerns about Japan’s failure to fully address its wartime atrocities.
China has also criticized the pact, reiterating that bilateral cooperation should not target third parties and reminding Tokyo of its historical aggression in Southeast Asia.
Despite the delay and criticism, defense analyst Chester Cabalza believes the RAA will strengthen security relations between the Philippines and Japan, both vocal critics of China’s maritime activities.
“The gap [in the ratification of the RAA] is not yet in stalemate in spite of China’s ratcheted maneuvers in [the South China Sea],” Cabalza told BenarNews.
The ratification of the RAA remains uncertain, but the delay highlights the complex geopolitical landscape in the region and the challenges in navigating historical tensions while addressing current security concerns.
First Piper 