China looms large as Philippines-Japan defence pact heads for Senate showdown
On July 8, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), enabling the two nations to jointly train troops and provide mutual aid during natural disasters. However, the full text of the RAA remains shrouded in secrecy, known only to the presidential palace and the agreement’s signatories.