Japanese ambassador in hot water after saying RP dangerous

Japanese ambassador in hot water after saying RP dangerous

Mynardo Macaraig, Agence France-Presse, Manila

Japan's straight-talking ambassador to Manila was caught in a diplomatic storm on Friday caused by stinging comments on security in the Philippines ahead of President Gloria Arroyo's visit to Tokyo next week.

Ambassador Kojiro Takano was summoned by the foreign department on Friday on Arroyo's direct orders after the veteran diplomat described the Philippines as dangerous and frightening, angering several top officials.

Takano was tightlipped after a mid-afternoon meeting with Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Franklin Ebdalin, who handed a diplomatic note over the envoy's prepared remarks to the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines the previous day.

Ebdalin, who is acting foreign department chief while Secretary Blas Ople is out of the country, said "we reminded him that he is an ambassador and he has no business criticizing the country."

"We told him that in the future, he should refrain from making similar comments," Ebdalin told reporters.

Takano apologized and admitted he was airing a personal opinion, clarifying that he was not trying to hurt the Philippines, Ebdalin said.

Earlier on Friday, President Gloria Arroyo told reporters that Takano's remarks were "exaggerated and unfair," adding: "It is regrettable that the gains we have achieved so far have not been acknowledged."

"We cannot blame the Japanese envoy for stating an opinion," the president said. "We take such criticism as a challenge for us to do better."

She said there should have been a more "balanced view," that takes into account recent arrests of suspected terrorists and criminals.

Takano told the foreign correspondents on Thursday that Japanese in the Philippines were fearful for their safety and were "under constant danger."

He also said Japanese investors were confounded by changes in rules, confusing implementation of policies and lack of coordination in government.

"Many Japanese get the impression that the peace and order situation in the Philippines is very bad," the ambassador said, adding he often lost sleep due to security concerns.

Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye joked that Takano's "lack of sleep probably caused him to be disoriented," and offered to supply the envoy with decaffeinated coffee.

Earlier, Foreign Department spokesman Victoriano Lecaros said Takano's remarks were "unusual."

"In diplomacy, especially among our fellow Asians, you should not do these things in public," Lecaros said over local radio. Senator Manuel Villar said he would seek to have Takano declared persona non grata, charging that the ambassador's remarks were "insulting" and undiplomatic.

However Senate President Franklin Drilon said he would not support Villar's move.

"The ambassador's comment may be a shocker to many of us, but maybe this is a wake-up call for the president," he said. Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon said Takano should specify exactly what threats the Japanese are allegedly facing.

Takano said on Thursday that the dangers were not from any organized group but were due to the threat of kidnappings and possible bomb attacks against the general population.