Aquino: Beneficial if Japan can defend allies under attack

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the "increasingly severe" regional situation, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday supported Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to expand Japan's military role.

In a joint press statement with Abe following their summit meeting and expanded working luncheon in Tokyo, Aquino expressed his support for 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.

"We are told of ambiguities as regards the bounds of Japan's ability to respond even in the midst of an attack on its allies. In this regard, there have been some debates on the Japanese government's plan to revisit certain interpretations of its Constitution," Aquino said in his televised speech.

"We believe that nations of goodwill can only benefit if the Japanese government is empowered to assist others and is allowed the wherewithal to come to the aid of those in need, especially in the area of collective self-defense," he added.

Abe's ruling party is in the midst of tough negotiations with its coalition partner over his proposal to reinterpret the Japanese constitution to allow what is known as collective self-defense. The Japanese military can currently only use force to defend Japan.

Aquino said the he does not view Abe's push with alarm since this could bring the Philippines and Japan closer to their shared goal of regional peace, stability and prosperity.

The Japanese leader said he and Aquino discussed the right of collective self defense along with approaches to peace and the transfer of defense equipment.

"In the face of the regional situation becoming increasingly severe, both nations are closely coordinating," Abe said.

Aquino's and Abe's remarks come as both of their nations face China's military expansion in the disputed East and South China seas.

Both countries on Tuesday strengthened their security cooperation to build a peaceful and more stable Asia-Pacific region.

"Prime Minister Abe and I likewise shared the view that prosperity and development cannot exist in a vacuum; that the advancement of our peoples and our region can only be fully realized in a context that fosters stability," Aquino said.

"Japan is a strategic partner of the Philippines; it is thus incumbent upon us to have continuous dialogue as we jointly face the changing dynamics of our regional security environment," he added. -Louis Bacani with AP