Endo Kazuya: PH, Japan to help each other arrest erring soldiers

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 Endo 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,” Endo 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," he added.

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 arising out of 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 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. 

As regards China’s recent statement that Japan should never meddle in the maritime tension between Beijing and Manila in the West Philippine Sea, Endo said that the issue on the disputed sea was a “legitimate concern to all the parties in the international community.” 

“Japan believes that the issue concerning the South China Sea is directly related to the peace and stability in the region and it is a legitimate concern to all the parties in the international community and thus, Japan opposes any natural attempts to change the status quo by force or by coercive actions as well as any actions that will increase the tensions between the region,” he said. 

Japan was one of the countries that condemned recent aggression by China in the Ayungin Shoal which caused a Philippine Navy officer to lose his thumb. 

“For us, upholding the rules based on the maritime order in this region particularly is in the interest of Japan. It is very much important for us to support the country that is respecting the rules of law in the maritime sphere,” said Endo. 

When asked what the Philippines could learn from Japan in dealing with maritime disputes, Endo said, “I think we are facing very similar challenges in the maritime sphere, East China Sea, South China Sea. But at the same time, the situation in Japan and in the Philippines are not exactly identical of course.”

“Japan and China have established some frameworks including fishing treaties or the rescue agreements between the two countries so that might be something we can work together.” —Vince Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News