Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 4) — Activists have expressed opposition to the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) and Official Security Assistance offered by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to the Philippines, warning these will only “degrade” the country’s sovereignty and further escalate tensions in the region.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Kishida disclosed on Friday that Manila and Tokyo have opened negotiations for the RAA—similar to a visiting forces deal that allows troops from one country to freely visit another temporarily.
READ: PH, Japan begin talks for VFA-like agreement
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), in a statement Saturday, said the RAA will only add to “an already volatile mix of military forces” in the region.
“While appearing to counter China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea, placing Japanese military troops, facilities and equipment in the Philippines on a semi-permanent or permanent basis might actually do the opposite – justify even more military actions from China,” the group said.
“This never-ending escalation puts the Philippines right smack in the middle of an arms race between China on one side, and the US, Japan and Australia on the other,” it added.
Gabriela also criticized the agreement, citing Japan’s “unacknowledged atrocities” against Filipino comfort women during World War II.
“Imbes na pahintulutan ang pagdagsa ng mga sundalong Hapon sa Pilipinas, dapat kumprontahin ni Marcos Jr. si Prime Minister Kishida hinggil sa mga kaso ng karahasan, abuso at panggagahasa na sinapit ng mga Pilipinang comfort women,” it said in a statement.
“Bakit natin papayagang gamitin na naman bilang playground ang Pilipinas ng mga sundalong Hapon, gayong hindi man lang kayang manghingi ng tawad ang Japan sa kahayupang ginawa nila sa kababaihang Pilipino?” it added.
[Translation: Instead of allowing the deployment of Japanese soldiers in the Philippines, Marcos should confront Prime Minister Kishida regarding the cases of violence, abuse and rape suffered by Filipino comfort women. Why should we allow the Philippines to be used as a playground by Japanese soldiers again, when Japan can’t even apologize for the cruelty they did to Filipino women?]
Gabriela also claimed that the agreement is tied to the United States’ move to “continue its control over Asia.”
The groups held a protest outside the Batasang Pambansa, where Kishida will address a special joint session of Congress.
READ: Japanese PM to address PH Congress during official visit
Kishida arrived in Manila Friday afternoon for a two-day official visit.
Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel said the country should not become the next “battleground for the big powers’ war games.”
“The Philippines should not be ‘militarized’ by other countries as if they are preparing and volunteering the Philippines to be the next battleground,” the senator said in a statement.
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, however, expressed support for the RAA.
“Kami po ang magra-ratify niyan. At nakakuha na ako ng majority. (We will ratify that. And I already got the majority.) We need more than 16 votes. I believe we have more than that to ratify the RAA in the Senate,” Zubiri said.
