Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda. 蜜桃工作室 FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines鈥揗alaca帽ang on Wednesday welcomed the Japanese Cabinet鈥檚 reinterpretation of Japan鈥檚 pacifist Constitution that will allow the Japanese military to play a more assertive role in the region in the face of China鈥檚 aggressive expansionism in the South and East China Seas.
鈥淚 think everyone who has a stake in regional stability would certainly鈥� support any action that would move towards promoting peace in the region,鈥� Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda told a Palace press conference.
鈥淐learly, our belief is that Japan, by revisiting its Constitution, enables it to meet its international obligations, that is, to鈥攊n the case of the South China Sea鈥攑romote and ensure peace and stability in the region,鈥� he added.
On a working visit to Japan last week, President Aquino expressed support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe鈥檚 plan to revisit Article 9 of the Japanese charter, which bans the right to collective self-defense, noting that Japan鈥檚 military, known as the Self-Defense Forces, should be able to help its allies in times of need.
China example
Aquino gave as an example the Japanese military鈥檚 inability to help allies who are attacked in a peacekeeping mission. He did not mention China.
The Philippines and Japan are embroiled in territorial disputes with China.
The two countries鈥� geographical positions are also getting in the way of China鈥檚 island chains strategy aimed at gaining control in the Pacific area and limiting the United States鈥� presence in the region.
Japan is only one of two countries with which the Philippines has a 鈥渟trategic partnership,鈥� the other being the United States, which is also a Philippine treaty ally.
Japan鈥檚 Cabinet approved on July 1 a resolution that allowed the country to exercise its right to collective self-defense, a move that has given a broader military role for its Self-Defense Forces (SDF). In essence, it allows its SDF to help allies even if Japan itself was not under attack.
Direct influence
The Cabinet decision noted the changes in the security landscape and the current threats in the Asia-Pacific region that make it imperative for Japan to allow its SDF to respond to attacks.
鈥淭here exists a situation in which any threats, irrespective of where they originate in the world, could have a direct influence on the security of Japan. Furthermore, in recent years, risks that can impede the utilization of and free access to the sea, outer space and cyberspace have been spreading and become more serious. No country can secure its own peace only by itself, and the international community also expects Japan to play a more proactive role for peace and stability in the world, in a way commensurate with its national capability,鈥� the eight-page decision said.
The Japanese Embassy furnished a copy of the Cabinet decision to the Inquirer on Wednesday.
Security challenges
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday said the Japanese Cabinet action was a 鈥渟tep in the right direction.鈥�
Reading from a statement, DFA spokesman Charles Jose said the Philippines welcomed Japan鈥檚 contributions to ensure global and regional peace and stability.
鈥淲e are confident that Japan will continue to play an important role in addressing our common security challenges,鈥� he said.
In December 2012, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippines would strongly support a rearmed Japan鈥攊ts World War II invader and occupier鈥攁s a counterweight to what it sees as Chinese provocation.
鈥淲e are looking for balancing factors in the region and Japan could be a significant balancing factor,鈥� Del Rosario told the Financial Times back in 2012.鈥�With Christine Avenda帽o