Reception Hall, Malacañan Palace
January 12, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Prime Minister Shinzō Abe of Japan addressed the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC) and the Japanese media in joint press statements at the Reception Hall of the Malacañan Palace.

In his statement, President Duterte expressed his affinity with the Japanese people and government, and said that the Philippines and Japan are “proven friends and long-time partners.”

The President continued by delineating the persistent support of Japan to the country, such as the promised capacity-building and upgrading of the Philippine Coast Guard, Prime Minister Abe’s reaffirming of efforts to bring lasting peace in Mindanao and his interest in helping combat the illegal drug menace in the Philippines, strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, and the fulfillment of previously discussed agreements during President Duterte’s visit to Japan.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Abe emphasized that his visit to the Philippines, his first visit to a foreign state in 2017, symbolizes the importance of the partnership between the two countries.

He added that 1 trillion yen would be invested by Japan in the Philippines to support the continued development of the country over a five-year period that will be leveraged by utilizing Japanese technology and know-how.

The Prime Minister continued by reaffirming Japan’s support for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Philippines’ chairmanship of this year’s summit.

Prime Minister Abe also expressed his desire to tap the private sector in order to build a rehabilitation center in support of President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs, and finished his statement by saying that the two countries working closer together is essential in surpassing regional challenges.

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