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.