MANILA: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe offered support for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug war on Thursday as the pair met in Manila for talks that also focused on territorial rows with China.
Abe’s two-day visit to the Philippines is the first by a foreign leader since Duterte took office last year, highlighting Japan’s importance as the Southeast Asian nation’s top trading partner and foreign aid donor.
Abe is also intent on maintaining Japan’s strong ties with the Philippines as Duterte shakes up his nation’s foreign policy with a shift away from the United States, both nations’ longtime ally, in favour of China and Russia.
The trip began with a warm welcome by Duterte at the presidential palace, with the Philippine leader then winning much sought-after backing for his drug war that has claimed about 6,000 lives and raised concerns of mass extrajudicial killings.
“On countering illegal drugs, we want to work together with the Philippines to think of relevant measures of support,” Abe said afterwards, according to an interpreter.
Abe said Japan would help with drug treatment programmes and facilities.
Duterte, who has railed against US President Barack Obama and European politicians for criticising his drug war, highlighted Abe’s offers of support.
“As the Philippines pursues its campaign to destroy the illegal drug trade apparatus, we welcome the expression of interest of Japan to support measures to address the tremendous social cost of drug addiction,” Duterte said.
At a Thursday dinner, Duterte signalled the Philippines’ ties with Japan were much stronger than with the United States, its mutual defence partner and former colonial ruler.
“Japan is a friend closer than a brother. That means Japan is a friend unlike any other,” Duterte said. Bilateral trade, which totalled $18 billion in 2015, would continue to flourish, both leaders said.
Abe highlighted planned Japanese help for the Philippines to improve its out-dated infrastructure, particularly for the capital of Manila. — AFP
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