Philippines, Japan call for 'self-restraint' in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines and Japan have agreed to work together for peace and stability in the region and emphasized the importance of "self-restraint and non-militarization" in the South China Sea.

According to a joint statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs, President Rodrigo Duterte and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe "acknowledged the importance of a rules-based approach to the peaceful settlement of maritime disputes without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the UN Charter and other relevant international conventions."

The Philippines is a claimant to part of the South China Sea within its Exclusive Economic Zone that it calls the West Philipine Sea.

An international arbitral tribunal ruled in the Philippines' favor in July, saying China's nine-dash-line claim does not have legal basis. China has rejected the ruling and the arbitration case that the Philippines filed in 2012. 

The Philippines and China have agreed to hold bilateral talks on the dispute.

Duterte and Abe stressed "the need to ensure maritime safety and security which are vital elements for the peace, stability and continued prosperity of both countries and of the region."

Part of working together in what the two countries called a strategic partnership is the continued cooperation between the Philippine and Japanese coast guards as well as Japanese Official Development Assistance for two "large-scale patrol vessels".

Japan has already provided a patrol vessel, the Coast Guard's BRP Tubbataha, as the first of 10 ships that it is sending through ODA. 

"President Duterte expressed his appreciation for Japan’s continuous support in this field," the joint statement said.

The two countries have also signed an agreement for the Philippines to lease TC-90 training aircraft from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Japan has also said that it plans "to provide high-speed boats and other equipment to enhance the Philippines’ anti-terrorism capabilities." Abe said that Japan intends to continue helping the Philippines, including training Philippine Navy pilots and helping upgrade the Navy.

"Maintaining open and stable seas is essential in the region. The two leaders shared the view that the South China Sea holds sea lanes vital for global economic activity and viability. In this regard, the two leaders stressed the importance of freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as anti-piracy efforts and cooperation," the joint statement also said.