Philippines, Japan sign new defence agreement
The Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) allows the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan's Self-Defence Forces to provide each other with fuel, food, ammunition, and other supplies during joint activities.
The Philippines and Japan on January 15 signed a new pact on defence cooperation to strengthen security capacity in the face of regional uncertainties, and enhance coordination capacity for disaster response.
Accordingly, the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) allows the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Japan's Self-Defence Forces to provide each other with fuel, food, ammunition, and other supplies during joint activities.
In addition, the agreement provides a foundation for the two countries to coordinate disaster relief efforts and participate in United Nations peacekeeping activities.
Speaking at a joint press briefing in Manila, Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu said the deal will further expand the growing bilateral security cooperation between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Theresa Lazaro stated that the agreement will ultimately enhance the two countries’ mutual military interoperability and readiness, complementary to the recently ratified Reciprocal Access Agreement./.