PNoy arrives in Japan, set to discuss China sea dispute

MANILA, Philippines â€” President Benigno Aquino III is now in Japan to hold a summit meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The Official Gazette announced in its Twitter account around 10:30 a.m. that the President has landed at the Haneda Airport in Tokyo for his one-day working visit.

Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the two leaders may talk about the ongoing territorial disputes of the two countries with China.

"[B]atid din natin na mayroon tayong kahawig na mga concerns hinggil sa freedom of navigation, freedom of aviation, patungkol naman sa ating maritime entitlements sa South China Sea at sila naman sa East China Sea. Kaya maraming pag-uusapan na topics of mutual interest ang dalawang lider," Coloma said in an interview with state-run dzRB.

In his pre-departure speech, Aquino did not specifically mention the sea disputes as part of his agenda, but he said he will discuss with Abe the important issues affecting both nations, including peace and prosperity in the region.

The President also stressed the need for greater cooperation and partnership between the Philippines and Japan.

"Sa ganitong tibay at lalim ng ugnayan ng Pilipinas at bansang Hapon, ipinaparamdam sa ating hindi tayo nag-iisa. Ang Japan nga po ang isa sa dalawang bansang mayroon tayong strategic partnership, at ito po’y talagang makabuluhan at kapaki-pakinabang para sa ating mga bansa. Sa ugnayan pong tulad nito, kailangan ang patuloy na konsultasyon sa isa’t isa upang lalo pang tumibay ang ating alyansa," Aquino said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Aquino and Abe will deliver their respective press statements at 1:25 p.m.

The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on humanitarian assistance and disaster response, maritime cooperation, promotion of trade and investments, people-to-people exchanges and the Mindanao peace process.

Aquino said he will also thank Abe and his nation for helping the Philippines in various areas.

"Hindi po tayo nakakalimot: Nang hagupitin tayo ng bagyong Yolanda noong nakaraang taon, bukod sa isa po sila sa mga bansang pinaka-unang nagbukas-palad sa atin, napakalaki din ng ipinagkaloob nila at patuloy pang ipinapaabot na tulong upang makabangon ang mga sinalanta nating kababayan," Aquino said.

After meeting with Abe, the President will deliver the keynote address at The Consolidation for Peace for Mindanao conference in Hiroshima organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Research and Education for Peace of the Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Aquino said he will be sharing the country's experience in the completion of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the next steps in attaining long-lasting peace in Mindanao.