PM Abe: Philippines’ strategic position poses security concerns

The Philippines is positioned at a strategic point in the region, reason it is confronted with challenges such as maritime security, terrorism, and threat from North Korean missile attack.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stressed this at the end of the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. This concern is the reason he had conducted three meetings with President Duterte in just a span of one year in a bid to deepen the “collaboration” between the two countries, he added.

“Three summit meetings in one year, that only happened

between myself and Mr. Duterte,” Abe said during a press conference held on the eve of his departure.

On top of the North Korea missile issue, maritime security, terrorism, and the rule of law and order, Japan and the Philippines have decided on the installation of a ¥1 billion (1450 million) worth of coastal surveillance radar facilities.

This is apart from the ongoing supply of speedboats and patrol vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard as well as the donation of aircraft.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) welcomed Japan’s gesture of donating five units of Beechcraft TC-90 training aircraft to the Philippine Navy to help the country protect its seas and secure the nation’s future.

Defense Undersecretary for Finance and Material Raymundo-Elefante said the TC-90 training aircraft will help address the country’s need to patrol and guard our seas from poachers and those who illegally enter our waters.

During the East Asia Summit the other day, the Japanese prime minister announced that Japan will extend up to ¥15 billion (16.8 billion) in assistance to improve the peace and order situation in Southern Philippines, including Sulu and the Celebes Sea.

What was notable in Abe’s statement, however, was his use of the phrase “Indo-Pacific” in outlining Japan’s new strategy in the region.

“Through these endeavors, we want to promote the free and open Indo-Pacific strategy which we advocate,” he said.

Abe seemed to equate Japan’s latest collaboration with the Philippines to the much larger Indo-Pacific strategy that may seek to replace the “pivot to Asia” policy of the United States under former President Barack Obama.

The Japanese leader also said Japan wants to enhance cooperation with the Philippines in order to strengthen the free and open maritime order based on the rule of law; create international public good; provide safety and prosperity to all nations in a bid to make the Indo-Pacific an international public good.

The term “Indo-Pacific” was unveiled by United States President Donald Trump in the remarks he made at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting last week in Vietnam.

“I’ve had the honor of sharing our vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Trump said.

With the Philippines playing a support role, this new strategy will see an increase in cooperation between the United States, India, Australia, and Japan as a counterbalance to China’s power projection in the South China Sea.

United States President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday cited the strategic importance of the Philippines as the “most prime piece of real estate” from a military standpoint.

The current US relationship with the Philippines, the US President explained, is really important, “less so for trade, in this case, than for military purposes.”

“It (Philippines) is a strategic location – the most strategic location. And, if you look at it, it’s called the most prime piece of real estate from a military standpoint,” he stressed in a press gaggle onboard the Airforce One. (With a report from Francis T. Wakefield)