Japan beefs up aid to Phl to enhance maritime capability

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 11): Japan beefs up aid to Phl to enhance maritime capability

The Japanese government will beef up its assistance to the Philippines on maritime security as both countries commit to continue partnership especially on enhancing the maritime capability of the Philippine Coast Guard.

This was revealed by Japan’s Foreign Affairs Minister Fumio Kishida, who is paying a courtesy call to President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao Thursday where he was set to discuss with the Chief Executive enhancing the maritime capabilities of the Philippines, improving transportation and business climate.

Kishida’s announcement came as the Philippine government is working on peaceful resolution with China on the West Philippine Sea issue after the international arbitral tribunal came out with its resolution favoring the Philippines.

Kishida said Japan will be giving 10 patrol vessels (one of which will arrive towards the end of the month) through the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) aimed at enhancing law enforcement on the law of the sea.

The assistance for maritime security is over and above the current total ODA assistance to the country for development and infrastructure projects amounting to US US$ 7 billion.

The assistance came as the Philippines and Japan celebrate the 60th year of the normalization of their diplomatic ties. “The visit will be an important opportunity to develop relationship strongly under Duterte administration built on strategic partnership,” Kishida said.

Japan also has its own issue with China on the East China Sea. Kishida, however, underscored respect of rule of law and resolving the issue by not using force and coercion.

Japan’s offer was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, who said that the Philippines shares the same concern. “We are one in articulating and invoking and urge China to make sure maritime security and rule of law are strictly and uncompromisingly respected.

He said intimidation and use of force are not within the concept of respect of the rule of law.

Meanwhile, Minister Kishida said that during his visit, he expects to further develop cooperation in broad areas including political, economic, infrastructure and cultural, aside from maritime concerns.

Kishida also committed to “continue to support concentrated assistance for Mindanao especially on infrastructure development for agriculture activity and projects in Metro Manila.

According to Yasay, the Philippines is grateful for Japan’s development assistance which is about 35 percent of all ODA to the Philippines. He praised Japan’s unprecedented work in bringing economic and development works to the Philippines, not to mention the durability and longevity of partnership.

“I look forward to enhancing collaboration with Japan on health, defense, international security, disaster management,” Yasay said.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=912853