The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday that President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's invitation for him to visit Japan.
Duterte accepted Abe's invitation during the two leader's bilateral meeting of the 28th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Vientiane, Laos today. Abe told Duterte: “Mr. President is quite a famous figure in Japan and I’m very excited to see you in person."
During the meeting, President Duterte emphasized that Japan is an old friend and a pre-eminent partner of the Philippines. He also thanked Japan for providing assistance to the Philippines through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). For so many years, JICA has been there. Japan has been kind enough to extend us all the assistance for further development in our country.
Japan has pledged to give the Philippines surveillance aircraft and patrol ships to strengthen its security capabilities as the latter deals with an assertive China in the South China Sea.
Last July, a Hague-based tribunal voided China’s sweeping territorial claim in the South China Sea but the Chinese government refused to recognize the decision.
Japan has already agreed to provide 10 smaller-sized patrol ships to the Philippines.
Abe also deplored the bombing incident in Davao City on Friday night and expressed his sympathies for the victims and their families.
For his part, Duterte thanked the Japanese government for its efforts to commiserate with the Philippines after the Davao City bomb attack.
The two leaders agreed on the necessity of continuing law enforcement cooperation and projects, which would strengthen maritime capabilities of the Philippines.
Source: ABS-CBN
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