GMA: Envoy’s comments unfair

"Exaggerated and unfair."

An irate President Arroyo rebuked Japanese Ambassador Kojiro Takano for his adverse commentaries on the Philippines and problems of government, which he made before a public forum Thursday.

"The views expressed by the Japanese ambassador are exaggerated and unfair. It is regrettable that the gains we have achieved so far have not been acknowledged," Mrs. Arroyo told a businessmen’s forum yesterday.

And to show that she was not letting it pass, Mrs. Arroyo ordered acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Franklin Ebdalin to seek a formal explanation from Takano.

While she fell short of asking for the relief of Takano, Mrs. Arroyo was visibly infuriated by the diplomat’s statements as preparations are underway for her fourth working visit to Japan on June 4-6.

Takano incurred the President’s ire after he bared the general concern of Japanese citizens about their safety in the country.

Takano also criticized the Philippine government’s conflicting policies and budget deficit, which he said discouraged Japanese investors from coming to the Philippines.

Briefing business associations about her recent state visit to the United States, Mrs. Arroyo minced no words to attack Takano on his criticisms about the country.

But even as she fumed over Takano’s statements, Mrs. Arroyo indicated she will proceed with her working visit to Japan where she is scheduled to have one-on-one talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

To rebut Takano’s criticism, Mrs. Arroyo quoted in verbatim the transcript of a media interview with US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone, in particular about how the American businessmen "are enthusiastic about doing business" in the Philippines.

As if it were not enough, Mrs. Arroyo went on to rebut criticisms of the Japanese envoy on the peace and order situation in the country.

Her parting shot was an apparent dig on Takano’s claims of "sleepless nights" since his posting in Manila.

"We hope the Japanese ambassador will be able to catch up with his sleep," Mrs. Arroyo said sarcastically.

Takano made the controversial comments during a breakfast forum with the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines (Focap) last Thursday at the Mandarin Hotel in Makati City.

Takano made the statement after he met with Mrs. Arroyo in Malacañang earlier to attend the ceremonial inauguration of the $1.2 billion San Roque multi-purpose dam which was largely funded by Marubeni and Kansai, two of Japan’s biggest private companies.

"I think that a more balanced view will take into consideration the important steps that we’ve taken to improve the peace and order, and even more the economic environment and our steady growth is ample proof of these," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"We have also chalked up our consistent accomplishments in arresting terrorists and criminals. But we take such criticism as a challenge for us to do better," she added.

Mrs. Arroyo then shifted to low gear to cushion her tirades against Takano. She said Japan has been "very helpful" to the Philippine economy and in its peace and order campaign.

She said she was happy to note that "other parties" have acknowledged the gains made by her administration in improving the peace and order situation and reforms instituted in the government since she took over in January 2001.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. also expressed his disappointment with Takano’s statements.

He said "his (Takano’s) statements are unfortunate, uncalled for."

Lina said the Japanese envoy may have been misinformed on the real peace and order situation in the country.

He confirmed Takano’s claim that two Japanese were kidnapped in the past month but pointed out they were abducted by their own countrymen.

Lina said his recent visits to industrial parks in Southern Tagalog where some Japanese firms are located revealed the visitors were satisfied with the security measures being implemented.

He also gave assurances that Takano’s "sleeplessness" would be cured in due time as the ambassador adjusts to the living conditions in the country.

"So the concern of the Japanese ambassador will definitely be addressed. And we will continue to improve the efforts of the (police) in protecting not only Japanese but also all other nationalities," Lina said. – With Christina Mendez