MANILA, Philippines - Japan yesterday vowed to continue supporting the Philippines’ anti-terrorism campaign and expressed readiness to assist the country in other areas of cooperation.
The commitment was made during the meeting of Japanese foreign minister Taro Kono with President Duterte on the sidelines of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings hosted by the Philippines.
“The President took opportunity to thank Prime Minister (Shinzo) Abe for his support on anti-terrorism and Marawi (operations) and infrastructure programs Japan and the Philippines are working on,” Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Cayetano said in a press briefing.
Mindanao remains under martial law since the May 23 attack of the Islamic State-linked Maute terror group in Marawi City. The siege has brought enormous distress to the population of Marawi with around 360,000 people forced to flee their homes.
Cayetano said the possibility of Duterte returning to Japan was also discussed during the meeting.
“There was a reiteration of President Duterte possibly visiting Japan and welcoming Prime Minister Abe in November. (The meeting was) reflective of the warm and strong relationship between Japan and the Philippines,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano also thanked Kono for attending the ASEAN meet.
“We very much welcome the appointment and arrival of minister Kono. I think it’s his fifth day today. We’re thankful he attended the conference to participate actively and to articulate Japan’s position on issues,” he said.
“We see eye to eye with Japan on many different issues,” he added.
Australia, Singapore aid for Marawi
Meanwhile, the Australian government will provide A$20 million or nearly P800 million in aid to the Philippines to support the recovery program in Marawi City and peace building in Mindanao.
Singapore also provided relief items worth S$93,944 on Monday.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop announced yesterday that Australia’s financial assistance will be extended to the Philippines over a span of four years. This is in addition to the emergency food and other supplies provided by the Australian government amounting to $920,000 last June.
Bishop said she discussed the ongoing conflict in Marawi and its impact on civilians in the region with President Duterte during their meeting in Malacañang last Monday. It was their second meeting this year.
She said Australian assistance will also fund small-scale infrastructure projects for communities around Marawi, including provision of clean drinking water and repair of local roads.
Bishop stressed Australia remains committed to supporting the peace process and development in Muslim Mindanao, which she said are critical for a strong and stable Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Armed Force brought humanitarian relief items for Marawi via Laguindingan airport on Monday.
The donation was made through the Defense Attaché’s office at the Singapore embassy in Manila.
The relief items included 30 sets of five-man tent, 3,120 packets of field ration, medical supplies, 200 blankets, 1,080 bottles of water, 64 dynamo lights and three water filtration units.
Lim Chong Tee, a volunteer of the Singapore Red Cross, said a water filtration unit can purify up to 1,000 liters of water in an hour. – Alexis Romero, Helen Flores, Pia Lee-Brago, Gerry Lee Gorit