Phl, US, Japan affirm alliance

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines, United States and Japan affirmed their alliance and thanked one another for the help extended to each other in times of need.

Commemorating the 70^th anniversary of the Fall of Bataan on Mount Samat yesterday, President Aquino, Japanese Ambassador to Manila Toshinao Urabe and US embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett all acknowledged the need to continue with the friendship and cooperation among nations while learning from what the veterans and heroes had shown during the war.

The President said no leader would ever want to be on a crossroads and decide on whether to go to a war as he praised the veterans for the sacrifices they had to make for the sake of freedom.

Aquino cited the need to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities and noted the assistance coming from the United States.

The President said Japan had also become a friend and the country’s alliance with the US had become stronger since the war.

Rabe reiterated his country’s “heartfelt apologies and deep sense of remorse for the tragedy” as he paid greatest tribute to those who endured hardship and pain.

“I solemnly pray for those souls who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” Rabe said, noting that Japanese today were a far cry from what they used to be during the war.

“Our people are solidly behind the peace constitution,” the ambassador said.

Rabe acknowledged the assistance being provided by the Philippines to Japan especially when it was hit by disasters last year and Filipinos stayed in Fukushima despite the nuclear fallout.

“For their selfless act the Philippine government bestowed upon them the Bagong Bayani award for community and social service last December. The four awardees said ‘ginawa lang po namin ang nararapat sa pagkakataon na iyon’ (we just did what we had to do given the circumstances),” Rabe said.

Aquino said here last year that the “country has had no greater friend than the US and Japan.”

“We appreciate the statement very much,” he said.

Rabe said the US was Japan’s closest ally today. After the terrible disaster last year, he said US forces deployed 15 naval vessels, 140 aircraft and 16,000 personnel and were hand in hand with the Japanese clearing the debris and transporting relief goods.

“It was a moment that many ordinary Japanese recognized that a friend in need is a real friend,” he said.

“We have come a long way. I thank our forebears for having the wisdom to overcome the bitterness, instead we chose the strong alliance we enjoy today. It is the responsibility of our generation and those who follow us to continue on this path by sharing the fundamental values such as democracy, freedom, respect for human rights, and rule of law,” Rabe said.

He said the three countries have common ground. “Peace and prosperity for all is what we seek. Sa pagkakaisa tayo ay malakas; sa pagkawatak-watak tayo ay babagsak (In unity we are strong and in conflict we fall),” he added.

Bassett said the US also honored the legacy of Bataan and thanked the Filipinos for “keeping our alliance alive and strong.”

She said Americans and Filipinos were carrying the torch of heroes and veterans of the war forward as well as the tradition of friendship and cooperation.

“We will keep the torch of memory burning brightly,” Bassett said.