Philippines thanks Japan for support in dispute vs. China

MANILA, Philippines - The government is thankful for Japan's support for the case the Philippines filed before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea to resolve territorial disputes with China, Charge d' Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo Gilberto G.B. Asuque said.

“We are grateful to Japan for supporting the fundamental principle by which the Philippines is addressing the West Philippine Sea issue," Asuque said ahead of President Benigno S. Aquino III's working visit to Japan on Tuesday.

Asuque said with Japan's support will send a message to other countries about the Philippines's resolve to settle the dispute through peaceful means.

Asuque, the head of the Philippine technical working group on the maritime boundary delimitation and member of the West Philippine Task Force, said the Philippines and Japan share the same view of peacefully resolving the West Philippine Sea dispute.

He said the United Nations mandates claimant countries to use peaceful means to settle territorial disputes and states that use force and intimidation are not accepted by the international community.

"Kaya mahalaga po ang relasyon ng Pilipinas at Japan tungkol sa ginagawa nating paraan para mabigyan natin ng matagalang solusyon ang issue with China," he said.