Connect with us

News

PH eyes defense pacts with 3 more countries

Published

on

By Priam Nepomuceno, Philippine News Agency

The DND chief also said a similar pact with these countries will center on interoperability between their military forces. (Photo: Department of National Defense – Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The Philippines is looking to sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) with Canada, France, and New Zealand. Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. has said.

“We are going to work on an RAA hopefully with Canada, with France, (also) with New Zealand and with other countries that escaped my memory,” Teodoro said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday afternoon.

The DND chief also said a similar pact with these countries will center on interoperability between their military forces.

“They will all look the same, they will allow (the) Armed Forces of these different countries to operate with the Philippine Armed Forces within the Philippine territorial jurisdictions and vice versa so it will increase interoperability between these countries,” he added.

The country’s first RAA signed with Japan last July 8, aims to lift restrictions on military-to-military exchange between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan Self Defense Force.

The DND chief said he hopes to start talks with these countries on a possible RAA by next year.

“Hopefully by next year, it is not easy to negotiate the RAA, and that’s why we want a Defense Transformation Bill to come out because our staff is limited,” he added.

However, despite the DND only having 267 employees, Teodoro said that negotiating and finishing the RAA with Japan is a big accomplishment.

“I’m very proud with what everybody is doing in this department despite its handicap so I hope our legislators listen and capacitate us so that we can do more,” he added.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Maria in Vancouver

Lifestyle4 weeks ago

How I Got My Groove Back

Life is not life if it’s just plain sailing! Real life is all about the ups and downs and most...

Lifestyle1 month ago

Upgrade Your Life in 2025

It’s a brand new year and a wonderful opportunity to become a brand new you! The word upgrade can mean...

Maria in Vancouver2 months ago

Fantabulous Christmas Party Ideas

It’s that special and merry time of the year when you get to have a wonderful excuse to celebrate amongst...

Lifestyle2 months ago

How To Do Christmas & Hanukkah This Year

Christmas 2024 is literally just around the corner! Here in Vancouver, we just finished celebrating Taylor Swift’s last leg of...

Lifestyle3 months ago

Nobody Wants This…IRL (In Real Life)

Just like everyone else who’s binged on Netflix series, “Nobody Wants This” — a romcom about a newly single rabbi...

Lifestyle3 months ago

Family Estrangement: Why It’s Okay

Family estrangement is the absence of a previously long-standing relationship between family members via emotional or physical distancing to the...

Lifestyle5 months ago

Becoming Your Best Version

By Matter Laurel-Zalko As a woman, I’m constantly evolving. I’m constantly changing towards my better version each year. Actually, I’m...

Lifestyle5 months ago

The True Power of Manifestation

I truly believe in the power of our imagination and that what we believe in our lives is an actual...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

DECORATE YOUR HOME 101

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Our home interiors are an insight into our brains and our hearts. It is our own collaboration...

Maria in Vancouver6 months ago

Guide to Planning a Wedding in 2 Months

By Matte Laurel-Zalko Are you recently engaged and find yourself in a bit of a pickle because you and your...