PH, Japan begin first joint drill under reciprocal access deal

The Philippines and Japan on Tuesday launched their inaugural joint military drill under the Reciprocal Access Agreement that seeks to expand the defense cooperation between the two countries.

In a statement, the Department of National Defense said the Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25 will be held in Cebu from Oct. 7 to 11.

The Philippine Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force are participating in the training exercise at the Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu.

“It focuses primarily in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” the DND said on Tuesday.

The landmark RAA entered into force on Sept. 11 and allows Philippine and Japanese troops to conduct training exercises in each other’s territory.

In a separate statement, Japan’s Ministry of Defense said the bilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercise will involve “the operation to deliver support goods to help communities affected by the earthquake in Cebu.”

A C-130 aircraft from the JASDF with 30 personnel from its Air Support Command and a UH-1 military helicopter from the PAF are participating in the exercise. The JASDF will transport relief and support goods prepared by the Philippines for earthquake victims in Cebu from Tacloban to Mactan.

The DND also expressed its gratitude to the Japanese government for extending humanitarian assistance to those affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Northern Cebu, which occurred concurrently with the Doshin-Bayanihan drill.

“This effort aims to address urgent needs of communities affected by the recent earthquake in Cebu,” the DND said.

“With the RAA in place, both activities underscore the RAA’s pivotal role in facilitating enhanced bilateral defense collaboration, ensuring interoperability, and advancing both countries’ shared commitment to regional resilience, security, and stability,” it added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News