Manila, Tokyo meet amid China 'construction' in Panatag

MANILA, Philippines - Amid China’s reported plan to build structures in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, the Philippines and Japan yesterday stressed that force should not be used to change the status quo in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

The matter was discussed during Thursday’s meeting between Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Japan Minister-in-Charge of Ocean Policy and Territorial Issues Ichita Yamamoto in Camp Aguinaldo.
 

Read: China denies constructing in Panatag

“We shared the view that any country should not pursue to change status quo unilaterally by force. Also the establishment of the rule of law is very very important,” Yamamoto told reporters through an interpreter.

“The establishment of rule of law is a very important agenda which requires the close cooperation between Japan and the Philippines and we would like to continue to cooperate with the Philippines in order to send strong messages to international community.”

Both the Philippines and Japan are embroiled in a territorial dispute with China.

The meeting came in the wake of reports that China has placed 75 concrete blocks in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal off Zambales, an area within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The placing of the concrete blocks has been viewed by officials as a prelude to a construction project.

Defense officials have said that measures would be undertaken to assert the Philippines’ territorial rights but declined to provide specifics.

Panatag Shoal, also known as Bajo de Masinloc, is located 124 nautical miles from the nearest point in Zambales. The area used to be a traditional fishing area for local fishermen until Chinese vessels illegally cordoned off the area last year.

Yamamoto declined to comment when asked whether Japan plans to send assets to the Philippines, saying the matter falls within the role of Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera.

“However, I believe that the recent visit by defense minister Onodera set (the) quality (of) path on the future between Japan and the Philippines and I believe that further cooperation will be promoted along,” he said.

Onodera met with Gazmin last June to discuss common security concerns including territorial disputes in the region.

Japan has vowed to strengthen its security ties with the Philippines and to further cooperate on the defense of remote islands, territorial seas and maritime interests.

China has occupied contested areas in the West Philippine Sea including those that are within the Philippines ’continental shelf. Japan and China are also claiming ownership of the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea.

Visit to former US bases

Yamamoto said he visited Subic and Clark Wednesday and was briefed about how the former American bases were used to promote economic activity.

Yamamoto, who is also Japan’s Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories, said he had a meeting with leaders of Japanese companies who praised the work attitude of Filipinos.

“In Clark and Subic, I learned how both zones have been utilized, (how) the former American bases (were used) in trying to attract investment as well as diversifying its industrial complexes,” the Japanese official said.

“The utilization of former American bases has become a very important agenda. As a minister in charge, I would like to promote this agenda in close cooperation with relevant municipalities,” he added.

The American bases in Clark and Subic were shut down in 1992 after the Senate had rejected an extension of their stay in the country. Okinawa, meanwhile, hosts thousands of US Marines, many of which would be transferred to Guam soon. 

“We can draw good lessons from these regions which could be applied to Okinawa in the future,” Yamamoto said.

Yamamoto declined to comment when asked whether the increased US presence in the Philippines would promote regional stability.

“Whether the increased American presence will contribute to the strengthening security environment for the Philippines is primarily an issue to be answered by the government of the Philippines,” he said.