Pinuno ng Japan, nangako ng suporta sa Pilipinas sa harap ng umiigting na usapin sa West Philippines Sea

Nangako si Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe na susuportahan ang pagpapalakas ng puwersang pandagat ng Pilipinas sa harap ng umiigting na usapin sa agawan ng teritoryo sa West Philippines Sea.   Sa isang pahayag nitong Sabado, nagpasalamat si Pangulong Benigno Aquino III sa bumibisitang lider ng Japan dahil sa patuloy nitong pagsuporta sa Pilipinas.   “We reviewed the security challenges that confront our nations, and pledged to cooperate in advancing our common advocacy for responsible action from international players. We believe that can be done by upholding the rule of law in international affairs, and by finding just and peaceful solutions to our territorial disputes and maritime concerns, so that we may create a secure and stable environment that leads to our collective progress,” ani Aquino.    Sinabi ng Punong Ministro ng Japan, na matagal na nilang kaalyado ang Pilipinas sa pagtataguyod ng kapayapaan sa Asia Pacific Region.   “[We] exercise the right of collective self-defense… after the war (World War II), Japan and US has been greatly contributing in peace and stability in the Asia Pacific Region and we will continue to play that role,” ayon kay Abe.   Kapwa may usapin ang Pilipinas at Japan sa China kaugnay ng mga pinag-aagawang teritoryo. Noong Pebrero, nauna nang ipinangako ni Abe na magkakaloob ito ng 10 patrol boats sa Pilipinas upang mapalakas ang puwersa ng Philippine Navy at Philippine Coast Guard.   Pinasalamatan din ni Aquino ang Japan sa pagsuporta nito sa isinusulong na usapang pangkapayapaan sa Mindanao.   “The new initiatives of the program, which include community and human resource development, will help my countrymen in the Bangsamoro rebuild their communities and become even more productive citizens of the Philippines,” ani Aquino patungkol sa programang Japan-Bangsamoro Initiative for Reconstruction and Development na kasalukuyang ipinapatupad sa Mindanao.   Kasabay nito, binati rin ni Aquino si Abe dahil sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng Japan, na nangungunang trading partner ng Pilipinas at nagbibigay ng development assistance sa bansa.   "This growth (of Japan) is a positive sign for the global economy and for the Filipino people. After all, Japan is the Philippines’ top trading partner. In 2012, our total bilateral trade amounted to $16.35 billion,” pahayag ni Aquino. "Japan remains our largest source of development assistance, and our country’s second largest source of approved investments, which in the previous year amounted to more than P69 billion. Japan is also our third largest source of tourists; 412,474 Japanese nationals visited our shores last year," dagdag niya. -- Rouchelle R. Dinglasan/FRJ, GMA News