PH eyes defense pacts with 3 more countries

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.