Phl, Japan lawmakers call for rule of law in sea disputes

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino and Japanese lawmakers signed yesterday a Joint Document for Cooperation on Promotion of the Rule of Law at Sea.

Hiroshi Nakada led Japanese lawmakers in signing the document.

The document reaffirmed the two countries’ valuable partnership and sharing of common values like freedom, democracy and respect for basic human rights, as well as their common goals to resolve the maritime dispute with China peacefully.

Nakada said the document seeks to bring together lawmakers from both the Philippines and Japan to promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

“Both are democratic states (and) we believe (as) parliamentarians, the legislatures have a role to play to discuss issues among themselves and make recommendations to their respective governments so this conflict can be resolved under international auspices. What’s important is we achieve peace in the seas in the world,” he said.

The document provides that states must make and clarify their claims based on international law; states must not use force or coercion in pursuing their claims and must seek to settle disputes by peaceful means and avoid any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or coercion.

Nakada said Filipino and Japanese legislators reached common understanding during the meeting on the situation in the South and East China Seas.

Lawmakers agreed to promote this kind of understanding with other countries, as well as with the international community, he added.

Nakada said in signing the document, lawmakers promised to exert all efforts to achieve the goals of peace.

“Of course the sea as we know has been a peaceful sea for many years, but recently it has also become a sea of conflict,” he said.

“And the reason for this is the unilateral use of force in order to change the status quo and this is the reality that we can’t deny.”

Last June, the Philippines expressed its support for Japan’s plan to expand its military role in the region.

Japan cited its dispute with China over the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands as one of the reasons for amending its Constitution to allow military expansion.

President Aquino expressed his support for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s proposal to reinterpret Japan’s pacifist constitution to allow its military to defend not only Japan but also allies that come under attack.

Aquino’s support came as Japan and the Philippines deepen security ties in the face of China’s military expansion and aggressive pursuit of its territorial claims.