The top Philippine diplomat said on Tuesday that stronger security ties with Japan were essential for peace in the Asia-Pacific region, while advocating upgrading Philippine defenses due to “repeated violations of our sovereignty.”
Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo’s remarks in Tokyo underscored the security challenges both nations face from China: Tokyo and Manila are embroiled in maritime disputes with Beijing over the South China and East China seas, respectively.
“We have never been more convinced than now that our stronger security cooperation will allow our peoples to live in greater peace,” Manalo said during a policy speech at the National Graduate Institute for Political Studies.
“We are driven by the same faith in the rules and commitment to multilateralism,” he added, according to a copy of his speech obtained by reporters in Manila.
Manalo was in Tokyo for the Munich Leaders’ Meeting, which ended on Tuesday.
In the coming years, Philippine-Japanese ties will focus on maritime security, particularly domain awareness and law enforcement to implement the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he said.
While the Philippines has had conflicts with China in the South China Sea, Japan has had its own territorial disputes with the Asian superpower over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.
Manalo said that while dialogue and diplomacy should be the main means of addressing disputes, “repeated infringements on our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction… also require the enhancement of our defense capabilities.”
“Let me emphasize that maritime cooperation will always be a key feature of Philippine-Japan ties. Being island states unites us in the common goal of keeping the Indo-Pacific seas safe, secure and peaceful,” Manalo said.
Manalo also urged further discussion between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China on a code of conduct for the South China Sea.
“To achieve a peaceful and UNCLOS-based regime, sincere dialogue between all claimants is crucial, both bilaterally and through discussions between ASEAN and China on a code of conduct,” Manalo said.
“The Philippines advocates for an effective and substantive code of conduct that adheres to UNCLOS and takes into account the interests of all stakeholders, including beyond ASEAN and China.”
In July 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines, dismissing China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea. particularly the waters within the exclusive economic zone of Manila.
However, China ignored the landmark ruling and has continued its military expansionism in the strategic waterway, including building artificial islands.
During Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official visit to Japan in February, he and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to “enhance the defense capabilities of their respective countries and further strengthen overall security cooperation.” security”.
The two sides agreed to increase bilateral communications between their military and defense officials “in light of the very challenging regional security environment.”
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