Duterte, Japanese PM to hold telesummit on cooperation to address pandemic

The Philippines remains committed to working closely with Japan in battling the coronavirus pandemic despite the canceled trip of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to the country.

Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje affirmed the strategic partnership and broad cooperation between the two countries, citing the plans of President Duterte and his Japanese counterpart to hold a telesummit or phone call to discuss the matter.

The Prime Minister recently scrapped a planned visit to the Philippines early next month to focus on addressing a resurgence of coronavirus infections in Japan. President Duterte understood Suga's decision to postpone his trip to the country, the Palace said.

“Kahit magbago ang plano, tandaan natin ang pagtutulungan at kooperasyon ay nandidiyan. Hindi nagbabago (Even though the plans have changed, let's remember that cooperation is there. It does not change),” Borje, also Chief of Presidential Protocol, said over government television.

“There are ways right now to move forward the agenda but again we understand the COVID situation is a bit very, very serious in Japan's estimation. Sa tamang panahon, sa lalong madaling panahon ay magkakroon ng oportunidad kung hindi telesummit, magkakaroon ng phone call at the very least ang mga lider tungkol dito (At the proper time, as soon as possible, there will be an opportunity if not through a telesummit, there will be a phone call at the very least between the two leaders about this),” he added.

Borje noted that the Philippines and Japan have always been “strong strategic partners”. He said fighting the pandemic remained high on the agenda of the two countries and a key point of cooperation.

Suga was elected Japan's prime minister in a parliamentary vote in September 2020 following the resignation of Shinzo Abe due to a health ailment.

Last December, Duterte had a phone conversation with Suga and renewed resolve to further strengthen the relations between the two countries. The two leaders have agreed to further deepen the strategic partnership in areas of cooperation such as infrastructure development and the Mindanao peace process.

"Japan is a valued partner of the Philippines. As a friend closer than a brother, ours is an exemplary partnership that has withstood the test of time,” Duterte said during the phone call with Suga last December.