Duterte, Shinzo Abe highlight freedom of navigation, self-restraint

SINGAPORE — President Duterte stressed the Philippines’ commitment to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight, exercise of self-restraint and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea during a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte and Abe met on the sidelines of the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit here.

Duterte also had bilateral meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday.

Japan, a dialogue partner of ASEAN along with China and other countries, is involved in a dispute with Beijing over the  Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.

ASEAN is still in the process of crafting a code of conduct in the South China Sea. Lee said in a statement on Thursday that land reclamations in the various areas in the South China Sea eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace and security in the region.

Singapore is the current chairman of ASEAN. Lee said ASEAN leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea and recognized the benefits of having it as a sea of peace, stability and prosperity.

According to Panelo, Abe reaffirmed Japan’s continued support for the Philippine government’s “Build Build Build” infrastructure program during the meeting.

Abe also committed to further enhancing its partnership with the Philippines and commended the Duterte administration’s key policies and programs. 

He likewise congratulated the Philippines for passing the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) as he conveyed Japan’s intention to strengthen cooperation in line with the progress of the peace process. 

“It is a great pleasure for me to see you again for the first time since last November. And also thank you very much for your kind words about my victory in the most recent… election,” Abe told Duterte, referring to his re-election early this year, before their closed-door meeting.

“Now, that I have another opportunity to continue working with you… it is a great pleasure for me,” Abe added.

Abe reiterated his government’s concern for the Philippines during the last two typhoons. “And I once again would like to express my condolences for your loss as well as those who lost their lives in the multiple typhoon disasters in the Philippines,” he said.

Panelo said Duterte expressed his gratitude and described the meeting as productive and fruitful.

Duterte thanked Japan for contributing to the peace and development in Mindanao, particularly in the rehabilitation of Marawi.

More flights

Singapore has asked Duterte to work on the possibility of increasing the number of flights between the two countries for increased trade and tourism activities.

Panelo said Singapore also discussed the need to work on double taxation being imposed by the Philippines but was not clear as to what exactly he was pertaining to.