RP welcomes Japan's security role<\/p>\n
Reuters, Tokyo<\/p>\n
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, among the firmest
\nsupporters of the U.S. \"war on terror\" on Tuesday welcomed
\nJapan's increased contribution to regional security.<\/p>\n
Japan, whose military is a sensitive issue in Asia where
\nJapanese forces invaded countries such as the Philippines, China
\nand Korea during World War II, now provides logistical support
\nfor U.S. forces in Afghanistan thanks to a law passed last year.<\/p>\n
\"We welcome the new role, the increased role of Japan in
\nassisting in promoting security in the region. This is no longer
\nthe world of the Second World War,\" Arroyo told journalists in
\nTokyo, where she was on an unofficial visit until Friday.<\/p>\n
The Japanese government is now battling to pass three other
\nbills that would boost homeland security, raising concern in some
\nAsian nations once invaded by Japan.<\/p>\n
\"We believe that Japan, the U.S., China all play a major role
\nin the security of our region,\" Arroyo said.<\/p>\n
Arroyo said she believed international assistance, including
\nmilitary training and equipment from the United States, had
\nenabled her government to gain the upper hand in its long battle
\nagainst Moro rebels within the Philippines.<\/p>\n
\"Now they are stranded in a particular corner of the
\nsouthwestern Philippines. They used to be in the thousands, now
\nthey are in the hundreds,\" she said.<\/p>\n
On her second visit to Japan in eight months, Arroyo said she
\nwanted to thank Japan for its official development assistance
\n(ODA), which she saw as helping to weaken grass roots support for
\nrebel Moro groups including the Abu Sayyaf.<\/p>\n
\"It is not a coincidence that the last stand of terrorism is
\nin the island province which happens to be the poorest province
\nin the country,\" Arroyo said.<\/p>\n
Assistance with telecommunications and other technology to
\nimprove security are now high on the Philippines' wish list, she
\nsaid.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rp-welcomes-japans-security-role-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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