The Philippine and Japan forces officially started its first joint exercise under the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) which recently entered into force by providing assistance to earthquake victims in Cebu.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of National Defense (DND) expresses appreciation to the Japanese government for extending humanitarian assistance, which occurred concurrently with the Doshin-Bayanihan Exercise between the Philippine and Japanese forces.

"This effort aims to address urgent needs of communities affected by the recent earthquake in Cebu," it stated.

"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," the agency added.

According to the DND, as part of the 5th iteration of Doshin-Bayanihan exercises this year which will run from October 7 to 11, the Philippine and Japan air forces will focus their activities on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

In a press release, the Japanese Ministry of Defense also noted that "Japan and the Philippines have decided that the Japan-Philippines Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which came into force on 11 September 2025, will be applied for the first time to the bilateral HADR exercise Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25, between the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and the Philippines Air Force and the operation to deliver support goods to help communities affected by the earthquake in Cebu".

In an interview last week, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. mentioned that he had a meeting with General Hiroaki Uchkura, the chief of staff of JSDF who expressed their interest to help the victims of the recent earthquake.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) confirmed that a C-130 aircraft of Japan Air Self-Defense Forces (JASDF) has arrived at Brigadier General Benito N Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Tuesday.

In a press release, JASDF stated that the C-130 from Japan will be carrying the participating unit composed of approximately 30 personnel from the air support command while the Philippine Air Force will also deploy one C-130 and one UH-1 helicopter to join the exercise.

The training under Doshin-Bayanihan will include airdrop operation, load and off load training, take off and landing with night mission goggles, mass casualty training and subject matter expert exchange about the aeromedical evacuation.

The training will be conducted at BGen. Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu and at the Daniel Romualdez Airport in Leyte.

"JASDF will transport support goods prepared by the Philippines from Tacloban Air Base on Leyte Island to Mactan Air Base (Mactan Cebu international Airport) regarding the earthquake in Cebu," it stated.

As of Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the death toll due to the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the province of Cebu last Sept. 30 has reached 72 while 559 other victims were injured. Robina Asido/DMS