MANILA, Philippines – President Aquino is expected to raise the West Philippine Sea dispute during his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Japan next week.
Aquino will leave for Tokyo on June 2 for a state visit until June 5.
The President’s visit would boost relations between the two countries on all aspects including defense and security, according to Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Minda Cruz.
Malacañang has reiterated its position that China should stop reclamation activities in the West Philippine Sea, Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said.
On Thursday, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in a meeting in Hawaii that Washington’s pledge to defend the Philippines remained “ironclad” and called for an end to land reclamation in the South China Sea.
Asked about the message Aquino’s trip would send to China amid concerns over its reclamation activities, Cruz said the meeting between the President and Abe would focus on bilateral ties between the Philippines and Japan.
But it would include enhanced relations and cooperation on defense and security to maintain peace and stability in the region, Cruz said.
“It has always been that way… The Philippines and Japan had been cooperating on a lot of regional issues. Both countries put importance on freedom of navigation, observance of international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as the movement of free trade,” Cruz said.
Cruz said Japan had always been active in helping the Philippine Coast Guard build its capacity to patrol the country’s internal waters.
She noted that the Philippines and Japan had been allies in a lot of issues being part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum and East Asia Summit.
“The South China Sea issue is an issue that remains important to us, and I think to the rest of the region and the rest of the world. So we expect this issue to be discussed during the President’s state visit,” Cruz said.
“So for the defense cooperation… we have been very active in terms of capacity building for the Philippines and training between the two sides… I think that will continue to be enhanced by both sides,” she said.
Cruz expressed hope that the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries would be able to have regular meetings to boost defense cooperation.
On Thursday, Coloma said the Philippine position had long been for the observance of the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, which was contrary to what China was doing.
Coloma said the Philippines and other countries, including the US had expressed concern over China’s reclamation activities in the South China Sea.
He added there was no reason to doubt Washington’s promise of “ironclad” support for the Philippines given its close military and defense ties under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement.
Meanwhile, President Aquino will address the Japanese parliament during his state visit to Japan from June 2 to 5.
“I think it is of interest for Japan to see how the Philippines has been doing,” she said.
Cruz noted that Japan and the Philippines have developed strong ties over the years.
Aquino will be welcomed by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo where a state banquet will be hosted in honor of the President.
The Chief Executive would also hold a meeting with Japanese investors.
He is scheduled to speak at the special session of Nikkei Future of Asia Conference 2015 and would interact with the Filipino community in Japan.
