News Story: Duterte inspects Japanese warship docked in Subic

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday went to Subic, Zambales to inspect Japan’s largest naval ship and a guided missile destroyer, which are in the country for a four-day goodwill visit.

Duterte arrived at the Alava Pier, Subic Bay Freeport Zone at 4:30 p.m. to tour JS Izumo, Japan’s biggest warship since World War II.

The president was accorded a guard of honor by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. He was also received by Japanese Ambassador Kazuhide Ishikawa and Escort Flotilla One Commander RAdm. Yoshihiro Goka.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: 2 Japanese MSDF ships arrive in Philippines on 4-day visit

JS Izumo Helicopter (Destroyer) Carrier (LHA)

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (Kyodo) -- A helicopter carrier and a guided-missile destroyer of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force arrived Sunday on a four-day visit to the Philippines aimed at deepening relations between the two countries.

The 25,000-ton helicopter carrier Izumo and the 6,500-ton guided-missile destroyer Sazanami docked mid-morning at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Olongapo city, 125 kilometers northwest of Metro Manila.

Read the full story at The Mainichi

News Story: Philippine president cancels trip to Japan next month

President Rodrigo Duterte

MANILA, May 30 (Xinhua) -- Philippine Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano announced on Tuesday that President Rodrigo Duterte has decided to cancel his trip to Japan next month in the wake of the ongoing security crisis in southern Philippines.

Duterte is scheduled to visit Japan from June 5 to 7 to attend an international conference in Tokyo.

The Department of Foreign Affairs announced late Tuesday that Duterte's trip to Japan "will be rescheduled".

"Secretary Cayetano announced that President Duterte will not proceed with his scheduled visit to Japan to address the 23rd Nikkei International Conference on the Future of Asia," the department said in a statement.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Phl, Japanese coast guards hold anti-sea piracy drills

A Philippine Coast Guard Vessel

By Evelyn Macairan

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Japanese Coast Guard (JCG) held yesterday anti-sea piracy exercises in Mindanao to prevent threats posed by terrorists like the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

The PCG and the JCG held joint anti-sea piracy exercises in Jolo, Sulu and the Celebes Sea while maritime law enforcement training exercises would be held from May 30 until June 3 in the Davao Gulf.

When asked if there was a chance the ASG would attack the PCG and JCG assets and personnel taking part in the one-day exercise, PCG officer-in-charge Commodore Joel Garcia said, “I don’t think so.”

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Rody - Disputes must be settled peacefully

By Christina Mendez

MANILA, Philippines - President Duterte renounced war as a means to settle disputes among nations as he renewed the country’s alliance with the United States and Japan during commemoration of the Day of Valor and Veterans’ Week yesterday.

Leading the rites at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan for the first time as President, Duterte said “paid (for) in blood, the painful lessons of war behoove all of us in the community of nations to work for peace and development.”

“No matter the spoils, war is never worth it. The reasons of aggression against the occupation of nations should not be countenanced. This is why the Philippines continues to articulate our principled position that disputes should be settled in a peaceful manner,” Duterte said.

“This is a responsibility of all states – great or small, strong or weak. As responsible members of the international community, this is our sacred duty,” he added.

Duterte said this is also the reason the Philippines is the strongest advocate of positive transformation of relations.

“As we fought together to stave off the enemy then, so should we help each other to address the threats that confront our societies, our region and our world,” Duterte said.

“To be sure, there will be difficulties. Where before the lines of duties were clearly drawn, now the menace of terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crimes – such as the illegal drug trade – have called into question efforts to uphold the responsibility to defend the interests of the common good,” the President said. “We know where we stand. We know what we should do. We will be undeterred in our efforts to secure for the citizens the future they deserve based on the mandate reposed on us by laws.”

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Report: How the Philippines Uses Flaws in US-China Relations for Its Own Benefit

China doesn't show any intention to reconsider its trade and investment ties with the Philippines even considering the recent anti-Chinese statements made by Manila on the South China Sea issue.

On March 16-19, the Vice Premier of China, Wang Yang, is due to hold talks with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and open the year of tourism and cooperation in Manila.

The upcoming visit by the Chinese vice premier will take place less than a month after the February 23 visit to Manila by a representative of the Chinese delegation led by the Minister of Commerce was postponed last minute.

The Chinese side explained the delay as “problems in planning.” On the same day, however, it was announced that there would be changes taking place in the Chinese Ministry of Commerce.

Meanwhile, observers suggested that China postponed the signing of a large package of agreements on economic and investment cooperation with the Philippines because of unflattering statements made by Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay Jr. regarding South China Sea issues.

Nevertheless, Wang Yang's upcoming visit confirms that both sides have managed to turn the page in their bilateral relations.

News Story: Human Rights Watch - Japan should condemn Duterte's drug war

By Kristian Javier

MANILA, Philippines — Japan should condemn President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs and not condone it, international group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Friday.

HRW Deputy Asia Director Phelim Kine said Tokyo turned a blind eye to the country's "abusive drug war" while the United States and the European Union have publicly criticized the rising cases of alleged extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs has left more than 7,000 suspected drug offenders — both from legitimate police operations and vigilante-style or unexplained killings, since he took office in June.

According to Kine, showing a lack of commitment in addressing human rights violations is not only a "wasted opportunity."

"It doubtlessly gives encouragement to a government that deems as 'inhuman' those slaughtered in its anti-drug campaign," Kine said in a dispatch released Friday.

Read the full story at The Philippine Star

News Report: Japan Seeks to Limit China as Abe Visits Philippines

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to the Philippines this week shows U.S. ally Tokyo’s ambition to keep up with growing Chinese influence in the geopolitically strategic Southeast Asian country by ensuring steady flows of aid and investment, analysts say.

Abe traveled Thursday and Friday to Manila and Davao, the second-largest Philippine city and hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte. He’s the first head of state to visit Duterte since the Philippine president took office June 30.

Duterte is seeking stronger ties with Japan as well as China to form a multicountry foreign policy with declining reliance on the United States. For Japan, stronger relations will help it contain China, which has distrusted Tokyo since World War II. Tokyo and Beijing also dispute sovereignty over parts of the East China Sea.

“From a geopolitical standpoint, I think the interesting thing about the visit of Japan has do to with, at least from the Philippine standpoint, [that] this is all part of the independent foreign policy thrust that the Duterte administration has been talking about,” said Herman Kraft, political scientist at University of the Philippines Diliman.

News Story: Duterte, Abe want rule of law in seas

BRP Tubbataha multi-role response vessel

By Christina Mendez

MANILA, Philippines - The need to uphold the rule of law in resolving regional conflicts highlighted the discussions yesterday between President Duterte and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Malacañang.

Emerging from the Aguinaldo State Dining Room after a meeting that lasted for about 30 minutes, Duterte and Abe said their countries are resolved to deepen and expand relations “across a broad range of areas,” including defense and security.

The two countries are embroiled in maritime disputes with China, which is claiming almost the entire South China Sea as well as an island in the East China Sea occupied by Tokyo.

In his speech after their meeting, Duterte said the Philippines and Japan have shared interests in protecting their territories.

“As proven defense and long-time partners, the Philippines and Japan are committed to further expand and deepen our relations across a broad range of areas,” Duterte said.

The President also said he had an active discussion with the Prime Minister on enhancing maritime and security cooperation.

“As maritime nations, the Philippines and Japan have a shared interest in keeping our waters safe and secure from threats of any kind,” Duterte declared.

Abe is the first leader invited by the President to visit the Philippines. Abe has selected Manila and Davao for his first stops in his roadshow visit around the region.

Duterte stressed the need for the Philippines to seek Japan’s help in modernizing its Armed Forces in addition to previous agreements.

Read the full story at The Philippine Star

News Report: Japanese Prime Minister Announces $8.6Bln Aid to Philippines

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday offered a trillion-yen ($8.59-billion) aid to the Philippines to develop the country's infrastructure, local media reported Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, Abe arrived in Manila to meet Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and to discuss a number of issues, including in the sphere of economy.

According to the NHK broadcaster, Abe proposed to provide the Philippines with the aid package during a five-year period.

In order to monitor the spending of the aid, Tokyo and Manila agreed to create the joint committee, the media outlet added.

The Japanese prime minister is currently on a six-day tour across the Southeast Asia and Australia in order to reaffirm Tokyo's ties with these countries and to strengthen them.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

News Story: PH to receive $8.66 billion package aid from Japan

A 1 trillion yen ($8.66 billion) aid package for the Philippines from Tokyo will spread over five years, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is yet to announce it during his state visit to the country beginning on Thursday, January 12.

Asian Review news said the aid package is one of Japan’s largest directed at a single country, quoting a senior government official.

The official said the money combines official development assistance and private-sector investments, which will be directed toward infrastructure projects such as building subways and electric power systems for the country’s regional cities.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: PH, Japan navies navigate in South China Sea

Maritime exercises between the Philippine and Japanese navies was held in the South China Sea on Friday to demonstrate freedom of navigation, officials said.

Atsushi Minami, captain of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) said they are “very much excited to have this interaction with the Philippine Navy.”

He said the brief naval exercise involved communication training and execution of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea.

On January 4, JMSDF sent two warships — the Murasame-class destroyer JS Inazuma (DDG-105) and Akizuki-class destroyer JS Suzutsuki (DD-117) for the drill

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: Japanese destroyer flotilla now in Subic Bay

JS Inazuma (Image: Wiki Commons)

While two Russian naval vessels are now docked at Pier 15, Manila South Harbor for a six-day goodwill visit, two ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Escort Division 4 have arrived in Subic Bay, Zambales for a three-day port visit which started Wednesday.

Capt. Lued Lincuna, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson, said the ships are JS Inazuma (DDG-105) and JS Suzutsuki (DD-117).

These naval vessels are under the operational control of JMSDF Escort Division 4 headed by Capt. Atsushi Minami.

“The JMSDF Escort Division 4 will be staying in the country to replenish supplies, conduct maintenance work and crew rest prior going back to Japan from conducting Counter Piracy Operations at the Gulf of Aden,” Lincuna said.

Read the full story at Tankler

News Story: Japan's Abe to visit Philippines next month

MANILA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will make a two-day official visit to the Philippines next month, Philippine diplomatic sources said on Thursday.

The sources said Abe, accompanied by a business delegation, will visit Manila and Davao City, the home city of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, on Jan. 12 and 13.

Abe will discuss bilateral cooperation and regional issues with President Duterte during the visit.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Japan, Philippines cooperate in fighting drug crime

Tokyo (VNA) - The Japanese Government sent a delegation to the Philippines to conduct a five-day study, beginning December 12, on cooperating with the anti-illegal drugs campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Kyodo News, the 15-member mission includes officials from Japan's Foreign Ministry; National Police Agency;  Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare; and the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Japanese Embassy in Manila.

Special adviser to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Katsuyuki Kawai, who led the delegation, said Shinzo Abe and Rodrigo Duterte highlighted the importance of connections between the two nations in combating drugs during their meeting in Tokyo on October this year.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: Philippines’ 2nd 44-meter multi-role vessel arrives from Japan

The Philippine Coast Guard today welcomed its second Parola-class 44-meter multi-role response vessel, Barko ng Republika ng Plipinas (BRP) Malabrigo. BRP Malabrigo is second of ten ordered 44-meter vessels from Japanese firm Japan Marine United.

“She will be an additional floating asset to the search and rescue vessels being utilized by the Philippine Coast Guard to further strengthen the agency’s capability in the performance of its mandated functions such as the maritime law enforcement, maritime security, maritime search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and maritime safety administration within the country’s maritime domain,” the Coast Guard said.

Read the full story at Update Philippines

News Report: Japan-Philippines Deals Signal Shift to Multi-country Foreign Policy

Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI — Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Japan swings his country a degree back toward the United States despite a strain in relations and it may signal growth of a multilateral foreign policy aimed at maximizing development aid.

The outspoken yet cryptic president’s three-day trip last week cemented a relationship between two democratic Asia Pacific allies. It also generated $19 billion in investment and loan pledges from Tokyo as well as prospects for joint military exercises. Duterte, in office since June 30, made the visit less than a week after meeting Chinese officials, who offered economic help worth about $24 billion.

“It’s a three-way courtship, China, Japan and the U.S., and Duterte knows all of this at this time,” said Eduardo Araral, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore’s public policy school. “At the end of the day he just wants to get more benefits from these relationships.”

China has separate maritime sovereignty disputes with Manila and Tokyo. It accuses the United States of trying to contain its expansion.

Duterte’s two visits followed a string of harshly worded demands that the United States stop helping his country militarily and economically.

The United States is the Southeast Asian archipelago’s former colonizer of nearly five decades and its chief benefactor since World War II, when Japanese troops invaded parts of the country and left between 500,000 and 1 million dead.