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The Philippines and Japan, under the recently signed Reciprocal Access Agreement, will help each other in bringing erring servicemen to the country that has jurisdiction over them, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya said on Friday. The PH-Japan RAA is akin to the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement which covers the presence of US forces involved in joint military exercises in the Philippines. In an exclusive interview that aired on "24 Oras," GMA Integrated News anchor Vicky Morales asked Kazuya about the issue of foreign servicemen who commit wrongdoing.,“Under RAA the authorities of Japan and the Philippines shall assist each other in the arrest of members of the forces, visiting forces in the receiving states, and in handing them over to the authority which is to exercise jurisdiction,” Endor said. “Also both countries shall assist each other in the carrying out of all necessary procedures and investigations into offenses allegedly committed by a member of the visiting force," The RAA was signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on July 8. The deal will allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to train in each other's territory. This is from news selected image.The Philippines and Japan, under the recently signed Reciprocal Access Agreement, will help each other in bringing erring servicemen to the country that has jurisdiction over them, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya said on Friday.The PH-Japan RAA is akin to the PH-US Visiting Forces Agreement which covers the presence of US forces involved in joint military exercises in the Philippines.In an exclusive interview that aired on "24 Oras," GMA Integrated News anchor Vicky Morales asked Kazuya about the issue of foreign servicemen who commit wrongdoing.“Under RAA the authorities of Japan and the Philippines shall assist each other in the arrest of members of the forces, visiting forces in the receiving states, and in handing them over to the authority which is to exercise jurisdiction,” Endor said.“Also both countries shall assist each other in the carrying out of all necessary procedures and investigations into offenses allegedly committed by a member of the visiting force,"The RAA was signed by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on July 8. The deal will allow the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) to train in each other's territory.Endo added that there would be a mechanism to determine who should have jurisdiction over the Japanese servicemen. “Very simply the sending state holds the primary jurisdiction over offenses and arising out any act or commission done in the performance of official duties,” Endo said. “The receiving state can exercise their primary jurisdiction over offenses which shall not relate to official duties.” The Japanese ambassador is hoping the RAA would strengthen the cooperation between the Philippines and Japan. Earlier reports also said the agreement would allow more Japanese forces to join annual military exercises involving the Philippines and the US, including the "Balikatan" exercises.However, the agreement still needs the ratification of the Philippine Senate and the National Legislature of Japan before it takes effect.
