Senate President Francis Escudero has backed the early ratification of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the Philippines and Japan signed Monday.

Escudero expressed his support during a meeting with visiting Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa on Tuesday following the 2+2 foreign and defense ministerial meeting.

In a release, the Japanese Embassy in Manila said Kamikawa expressed her desire to further strengthen cooperation on economic security, infrastructure development, human and cultural exchange, and security and maritime, including through the RAA.

“In response, Senate President Escudero said that he would make every effort to ensure steady progress in a wide range of bilateral cooperation areas, including the early ratification of the RAA by the Senate,” the Embassy said.

The two parties also exchanged views on various issues in the local and international communities and confirmed their continued collaboration.

Kamikawa and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. signed the RAA in the presence of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacañan Palace in Manila.

The pact lift restrictions on exchanges between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan Self-Defense Forces and would allow the holding of “joint military exercises and disaster relief operations” both in the Philippines and Japan.

The deal, however, would have to be ratified by the respective legislative bodies of the Philippines and Japan before it comes into force.

Mindanao peace process

Also on Tuesday, Kamikawa met with Presidential Advisor on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Bangsamoro Transition Authority Minister for Social Services and Development Raissa Jajurie and University of the Philippines professor Miriam Coronel Ferrer to exchange views on Mindanao peace process and women, peace and security (WPS).

Kamikawa stated that peace in Mindanao is directly related to the stability of the Philippines and important for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Furthermore, she wishes to continue supporting socio-economic development from the perspective of WPS toward the establishment of an autonomous Bangsamoro government next year,” the Embassy said.

Kamikawa has been working on the promotion of gender equality for years and has been promoting WPS as part of her major foreign policy initiatives. (PNA)