Philippines Defence Forum

[Malaya]

Philippines, Timor-Leste affirm strong relations
(philstar.com) | Updated June 6, 2013

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III and visiting Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao affirmed the strong relations of the two countries as they witnessed the signing of three agreements today.

Aquino welcomed Gusmao in Malacanang, the presidential palace. Gusmao is on a five-day visit to Manila.

"The discussions the Prime Minister and I had this morning affirm our dedication to strengthen the relationship between our two nations particularly through engagements in education, defense, infrastructure development, and trade," Aquino said.

The following agreements were signed in today's ceremonies: a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a bilateral mechanism between two foreign ministries; an MOU meant to help Timor-Leste with its infrastructure development; and an agreement between the Philippine Normal University and Timor Leste's education ministry to develop a program for teachers and education officials of Timor-Leste.

Aquino said the Philippines also support Timor-Leste's bid to join in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community.

Gusmao thanked the Philippines for its support on Timor-Leste's bid for ASEAN membership.

He said his trip to Manila was part of his program to visit all ASEAN countries this year to strengthen both bilateral and regional ties with Timor-Leste's neighbors.

"We look forward to joining with the Philippines in the ASEAN family," he said.

Gusmao was Timor-Leste's first president after achieving independence in May 2002. He is currently serving his second five- year term as prime minister, having first assumed the position in 2007. He is concurrently minister for Defense and Security.

http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2013/06/06/951211/philippines-timor-leste-affirm-strong-relations

 

[Malaya]

Taiwan president eyes fishing deal with Philippines

By Ko Shu-ling, Kyodo News
Posted at 06/06/2013

TAIPEI - Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou stressed Thursday in an interview with Kyodo News he wants to see relations between Taiwan and the Philippines restored quickly.

The comment came as relations with Manila have been strained for weeks over the shooting death of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Philippine Coast Guard last month.

"The Republic of China government is peace-loving and dedicated to resolving the dispute peacefully," Ma told Kyodo News. "The Taiwan-Japan fisheries agreement can serve as a fine example for reference."

The shooting incident took place May 9 when a 65-year-old Taiwanese fisherman was killed as a Philippine Coast Guard vessel fired on his boat about 170 nautical miles off the southeastern coast of Taiwan in an area where exclusive economic zones claimed by Taipei and Manila overlap.

Taiwanese officials soon issued a harshly worded ultimatum demanding a formal apology from the Philippine government, compensation for the fisherman's family, punishment of those responsible and the start of talks on a bilateral fisheries pact.

Taiwan also ejected the Philippines' top diplomatic official and imposed sanctions including the suspension of visas for Filipino workers.

Saying all actions Taiwan has taken conform to international law and the United Nations charter, Ma emphasized all evidence pointed to the fact the shooting was "intentional homicide."

As both sides have wrapped up their respective investigations and will soon release their findings, Ma said he hopes to see the dispute come to an end soon so both sides can resume bilateral ties.

In addition to urging Manila to start talks on a bilateral fisheries pact, Ma floated the idea of signing a fisheries agreement on "conservation and management" in "waters claimed by Taipei and Beijing."

"We understand why China is hesitant to start such talks because they don't want the international community to see cross-strait relationship as one of state-to-state," Ma said. "But it is not a state-to-state relationship, but a special relationship."

As in the fishing pact signed with Japan, Ma said the 18 agreements signed since he was first elected in 2008 were not inked between two countries. However, they are legally binding and help resolve long-standing issues.

Taiwan president eyes fishing deal with Philippines | ABS-CBN News

 

[Malaya]

PH an economic force — Germany

By Charissa M. Luci
Published: June 6, 2013

Berlin – Impressed by the country’s economic growth, the Federal Republic of Germany has branded the Philippines as an “economic powerhouse” as it continuously seek an immediate “closure” of the Fraport.

Vice President Jejomar Binay, who met with German Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle on Tuesday afternoon at the Federal Foreign Office during his first leg of five-day working visit, said Germany is not surprised by the Philippines’ posting of first quarter economic growth.

“The Foreign Minister is not surprised anymore when I told him about our economic growth. He told me, we are a miracle, that our country is an economic powerhouse. All over the world, our economic growth is recognized,” he told the Manila Bulletin in an exclusive interview at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in this European capital city.

The Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 7.8 percent in the first quarter of the year, beating its Southeast Asian neighbors and even China.

The National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) attributed the economic growth to the development in major sectors and the government’s increased infrastructure spending.

But Binay was quick to add that on top of the Westerwelle’s opening statement was the Fraport issue.

The Vice President assured Westerwelle that the Philippines is flexing its muscles to address the issue.

“We are looking forward na magkaroon ng just closure ‘yung problema sa Fraport. Of course, it is a minor irritant, natutuwa tayo na gusto na nilang matapos ‘yan,” he said.

Quoting Westerwelle, Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe Natividad said that Germany wants immediate resolution of the Fraport issue which strains the continuous influx of German investments to the Philippines.

“By the way, you know the relations is very robust, we have strong relations but we have one issue to be sorted out to further strengthen the bilateral relations and so that more German investments will come in,” she said, citing Westerwelle’s opening statement.

Fraport is the German firm-partner of the Philippine International Airport Terminals Co. (Piatco), the consortium that got the contract to build and operate the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3). The contract, however, was aborted in 2002 by the Arroyo government.

With the Philippine government’s move, Fraport sought a relief from World Bank’s International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes and filed a compensation case, citing that such action was in violation of a bilateral investment treaty between the Philippines and Germany.

Binay described his meeting with Westerwelle as “very warm, very cordial.”

“Damang-dama mo na talagang ang Pilipinas ay katanggap tanggap ngayong mga panahon na ito,” he said.

He said the relations between the Philippines and Germany continued to be strengthened with the commitment of both sides to have high level exchange of visits.

Binay has been assured by Westerwelle that Chancellor Angela Merkel would be visiting Philippines next year.

During the meeting, Westerwelle told Binay that Merkel would not be able to visit Philippines this year because of the elections on September.

In a letter handed over to Westerwelle when he visited Manila last February, President Benigno S. Aquino III invited Merkel to visit the Philippines this year.

Merkel also invited Aquino to visit Germany, but because of midterm elections and political situation in the Philippines, Aquino shelved his visit to Germany and planned to come over next year, Natividad said.

Binay, who arrived Monday afternoon in Berlin started his five-day working visit to Germany to advance the interest of some 60,000 Filipino workers.

PH an economic force

 

[Malaya]

Official Visit of Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste

 

[Malaya]

US reaffirms defense treaty with Philippines
By: Agence France-Presse

SINGAPORE -- The United States on Saturday reaffirmed its commitment to a defense treaty with the Philippines, which is currently embroiled in a territorial dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea.

The pledge came as US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met his Philippine counterpart Voltaire Gazmin on the sidelines of an annual security forum in Singapore set to be dominated by Beijing's growing might.

The Philippines, a former US colony, is involved not only in a row with China but also Taiwan over the recent killing of a Taiwanese fisherman along their sea border.

"Secretary Hagel emphasized the importance of the Philippines as a treaty ally and reaffirmed the United States commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty," Pentagon spokesman George Little told journalists after the meeting.

"Secretary Hagel stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the region," he added.

Both defense chiefs "also discussed deepening bilateral defense cooperation including work towards increasing rotational presence of US forces in (the) Philippines to address common challenges," Little said.

The Philippines and the United States, whose soldiers fought side by side in the Pacific theatre during World War II, are bound to help defend each other in case of external attacks under a mutual defense treaty signed in 1951.

The Philippines has one of Asia's most poorly equipped armed forces and has been protesting Chinese efforts to enforce Beijing's claims to the entire South China Sea, including waters and islands near the Philippine coast.

The Philippines along with Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam as well as China and Taiwan have laid full or partial claim to the South China Sea, which is believed to sit atop vast deposits of natural gas and hosts vital shipping lanes.

Taiwan threatened the Philippines with sanctions and held naval exercises near their sea border after a Taiwanese fisherman was killed when the Filipino coastguard fired on their vessel on May 9.

 

[p3avi8tor69]

I've saying it, the Philippine economic growth only affected the ultra rich. The rest of Pinoys are grinding and falling more in poverty.

Philippines' jobless rate soars despite record growth - Channel NewsAsia

Hunger persists as Philippine economy grows - Asia-pacific - Al Jazeera English

News Analysis: Philippines' jobless rate goes up while exports plunge - Xinhua | English.news.cn

 

[Malaya]

I've saying it, the Philippine economic growth only affected the ultra rich. The rest of Pinoys are grinding and falling more in poverty.

Philippines' jobless rate soars despite record growth - Channel NewsAsia

Hunger persists as Philippine economy grows - Asia-pacific - Al Jazeera English

News Analysis: Philippines' jobless rate goes up while exports plunge - Xinhua | English.news.cn

What's all the fuss? In Spain, it's 26%. In Japan, it's 25%. Well it takes time, things don't change overnight. The jobless rate is high in the rural areas which are mostly agricultural. Agriculture in this country has been the most neglected sector of the economy. The situation is compounded by the higher birth rate in the countryside. It's only now that the economic managers are giving more attention to agriculture.

 

[Malaya]

New Philippine warship test-fires main gun

by Jojo Malig, ABS-CBNnews.com
06/12/2013

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines' new naval warship, the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, fired its main weapons system in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, the Philippine Embassy in the United States said.

Capt. Ernesto Baldovino, commanding officer of the Alcaraz, said the ship successfully fired its OTO Melara 76 mm naval artillery gun "with a high degree of accuracy."

"This weapons system is very reliable," he said, in an embassy statement.

Baldovino, in a report to Capt. Elson Aguilar, Defense and Naval Attache at the embassy, said the ship's rapid-fire cannon, which can shoot as many as 80 rounds per minute, fired 15 rounds.

Three shots were used to calibrate the gun and 12 were aimed at floating targets two to three miles away.

"Captain Baldovino was more than satisfied with how the Oto Melara performed," Aguilar said.

Countries in Asia that have warships armed with OTO Melara naval guns include Indonesia, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore.

Defense sources said the cutter will also be fitted with anti-ship Harpoon missiles.

"Her weapons system is heavier and more sophisticated compared to her sister ship, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar," one source said.

The Alcaraz is also armed with M242 Bushmaster guns and heavy machineguns.

The Alcaraz, a cutter that previously served in the US Coast Guard, was bought and refurbished by the Philippines.

Alcaraz weighs 3,250 tons, has a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet.

Its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.

When deployed, the Alcaraz, with a total of 167 officers and men complement, will have a cruising range of 14,000 miles and can stay in the high seas for 45 days.

The ship is now proceeding to the Panama Canal, its next stop in its almost 2-month journey to the Philippines.

The Alcaraz left Charleston, South Carolina, on Monday, more than a year after it was acquired from the US Coast Guard.

The ship will also make stops in San Diego, Honolulu, and Guam enroute to Manila. - with a report from Don Tagala, ABS CBN North America Bureau

New Philippine warship test-fires main gun | ABS-CBN News

 

[Malaya]

Philippines files racism complaint against HK football fans

Associated Press

Thursday, June 13th, 2013

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF)has asked FIFA to investigate allegations that Filipino supporters and players were subject to racist abuse during last week’s friendly in Hong Kong, officials said Thursday.

The Azkals won the match, 1-0, but home fans pelted the players and their supporters, many of them women and children, with water bottles and other debris after the match.

The complaint was filed Tuesday after reports of “physical and racist abuse against Philippine players and supporters,” PFF General Secretary Ed Gastanes said in a statement.

A representative of the Asian Football Confederation in Kuala Lumpur said Thursday that it had not received any formal complaint and would only be able to investigate or take action if asked to do so by the Philippines or FIFA. The official declined to be identified, citing protocol.

He said he did not have information of any previous racism complaints in Asia. The latest incident comes as FIFA has toughening punishments for racial abuse.

The complaint contains statements from Filipino fans who said they were called “slaves” and that Hong Kong fans threw bottles at them and booed the Philippine national anthem.

The Hong Kong Football Association last week condemned inappropriate behavior and said it was investigating the incidents. Spokesman Benny Chan said that the HKFA has a “zero-tolerance” approach to racism.

A reporter for the Philippine Daily Inquirer who covered the June 4 match, Cedelf Tupas, said last week that Hong Kong fans were jeering and taunting the Filipinos, including calling their country a “slave nation.”

Tupas said that the hostility intensified after the Philippines scored in the second half. By then, spectators were throwing bottles and juice cartons at the Filipino fans and later the players, Tupas said, adding that others made obscene gestures.
The Filipino fans, who were mostly women and children, made up about 10 percent of the crowd of 4,500.

Some in the southern Chinese city still hold a grudge against the Philippines since a Manila hostage-taking incident in 2010, in which eight Hong Kong tourists were killed in a bungled police rescue. The Hong Kong government has maintained a travel warning for the Philippines since the incident.

Filipinos are also looked down upon in Hong Kong because more than 100,000 of them work as domestic helpers, toiling long hours taking care of children and doing chores for middle-class families for low pay.

 

[Malaya]

World Bank keeps Philippine growth forecast
By: Arnold S. Tenorio, InterAksyon.com
June 13, 2013

MANILA - The World Bank has kept this year's economic growth forecast for the Philippines despite its record expansion in the first quarter, according to the lender's latest report.

In its Global Economic Prospects 2013 report, the Washington-based lender retained its 6.2 percent growth forecast for the Philippines' gross domestic product (GDP), unchanged since December last year. The Bank also kept this forecast when it came out with its East Asia and Pacific Update report last April.

The Bank likewise retained next year's Philippine GDP growth forecast at 6.4 percent. The government is aiming for GDP growth of 6-7 percent this year and 7-8 percent next year.

The retention of its Philippine growth forecast comes as the Bank cut its global economic outlook, including that for East Asia and the Pacific.

The Bank said the Philippines has benefited from a weakening Japanese yen, citing a pickup in local industrial production brought about by its participation in Japan's regional production network. Manila also is among the countries that has enjoyed a rise in Japanese investments, both the job-creating foreign direct investment (FDI) and portfolio flows.

The Philippine economy expanded at a brisk 7.8 percent in the first quarter, making it Asia's best performing. Driving growth were construciton and manufacturing.

The country's record expansion however hasn't translated to jobs, as the unemployment rate hit a three-year high of 7.5 percent last April on account of a drop in farm-sector jobs.

World Bank keeps Philippine growth forecast - InterAksyon.com

 

[Malaya]

AFP chief leads pledge to defend sovereignty amid internal, external challenges
By: Jaime Sinapit

MANILA, Philippines -- Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista led soldiers Wednesday in renewing their pledge of “commitment to the Filipino nation. With honor and pride, we vow to fulfill our duties as the protectors and defenders of the Philippine sovereignty and integrity.”

“We will remain as this nation’s staunch catalyst of peace and development. And we will continue to uphold the pillars of good governance, democracy and human rights -- ideals and values that hold us together as one people,” Bautista said on Independence Day.

A hundred and fifteen years since the declaration of Philippine independence, the AFP, which continues to battle a more than 40-year old communist insurgency, also finds itself facing increasing external challenges with China becoming more aggressive in pursuing its claim to territories in the West Philippine Sea, also known as the South China Sea.

This year, the New People’s Army has stepped up offensives that have claimed the lives of a good number of soldiers, policemen and militia members with the government seemingly undecided about resuming peace talks with the National Democratic Front, stalled since February 2011.

The government, which has sought United Nations arbitration on the territorial disputes, is also trying to fulfill its commitment to beefing up the military’s external defense with a start-up fund of P75 billion even as China has continued deploying military and civilian vessels to Panatag (Scarborough) Shoel and Ayungin Reef, with some reports suggesting they have begun building structures in the two areas.

The latest acquisition is the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16) which is homeward bound and, like the BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF15), is a refitted US Coast Guard cutter more than 40-years old.

Sources say the Department of National Defense is also “in the thick of negotiations” for the purchase of ground-to-air missiles from Israel, reported for the Philippine Army.

AFP chief leads pledge to defend sovereignty amid internal, external challenges - InterAksyon.com

 

[Malaya]

Philippines eyes stronger ties with KSA
Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Puerto Princesa underground river, above, is one of the new seven wonders of nature. The other six are Amazon Rainforest (Brazil), Halong Bay (Vietnam), Iguazu Falls (Argentina and Brazil), Jeju Island (South Korea), Komodo National Park (Indonesia), and Table Mountain (South Africa).

THE Philippines, one of the few economies with positive economic growth achieved in 2012, is a newly industrialized emerging market economy, with exports as its key driver of growth. Its P1.5-trillion GDP, the fourth largest in Southeast Asia, is accounted for by the service sector (50 percent), industry (33 percent) and agriculture (17 percent). Key economic activities in the Philippines include business process outsourcing (BPO), food processing, textiles and garments, and assembly operations in the manufacturing of electronics and other high-tech components.

Trade

In their meeting in Saudi Arabia in 2012, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. Del Rosario discussed ways on how to further improve Philippine-Saudi bilateral trade cooperation, among vital economic areas.

Bilateral merchandise trade between the Philippines and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been expanding in recent years. According to latest available Saudi government statistics, two-way trade rose to $3.6 billion in 2011 as compared to $2.7 billion in the previous year. In 2011, Saudi imports from the Philippines amounted to around $208 million while Saudi exports to the Philippines were valued at $3.4 billion.

In 2012, Saudi Arabia ranked 10th as the Philippines’ trading partner, 31st as export market (up four notches in 2011, when it was 35th as export market) and 8th as import supplier. During the same period, Saudi Arabia both ranked first as the Philippines’ trading partner and import supplier, and ranked second as export market in the Middle East region.

While the Philippines relies largely on Saudi Arabia’s oil and petroleum products, the Philippines is working to reduce the balance of trade by introducing more product exports to the Kingdom that include medium- to high-end garments; fresh and processed food including agriculture crops such as bananas, pineapple, mango and other staples; furniture of all types and home décor; leather goods and fashion accessories; costume jewelry; health and wellness products; construction materials and industrial goods.

The Philippines is encouraging Saudi businessmen to look at what the Philippines could offer by inviting them to attend and/or participate in major trade fairs and exhibitions in the Philippines, such as the International Food Exhibition (IFEX), Philippine International Furniture Show, and Manila FAME in October 2013.

Tourism

The Philippines is open to Saudi investors in tourism, infrastructure, hotels and resorts.

The “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign by the Department of Tourism had positive effect in increasing tourism in the Philippines. With over 4.2 million tourists in 2012, representing a 7.2 % increase compared to 2011 tourist arrivals of 3.917 million, the Philippines invites more foreign investors in the tourism sector.

In December 2012, the Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kingdom Holding Company, through a joint investment with Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), formally opened the 280-room Fairmont Hotel, a 32-suite Raffles Hotel and 237-room Raffles-branded private residences, in the bustling Makati business district in the Philippine capital.

The Shanghai Morning Post identified the Philippines as the “Most Romantic Destination” in the world, a distinction inspired by the magnificent sunsets over its numerous white sand beaches, or the pristine, secluded coves dotting its many islands.

Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III, in speaking to business executives in Davos, cited that the new hotels sprouting around the Philippines in the past two years are positive proof of Philippines’ tourism boom.

In Boracay, one of the Philippines’ most popular beach destinations, an additional 1,599 rooms have been built.

In April 2012, President Aquino officially inaugurated the Puerto Princesa Underground River in Palawan as one of the world’s New Seven Wonders of Nature (N7WN).

An invitation to Public-Private Partnership projects

The Philippine government has put infrastructure as a top priority, realizing that it is a key ingredient for further growth and development. Since 2010, the Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways has already completed 28 percent, or 2,006 kms, of the 7,256 kms of national arterial and secondary roads that need paving.

Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ezzedin H. Tago has outlined the Philippines’ public-private partnership (PPP) program under which a number of projects have been planned to be developed in cooperation with foreign and local investors. He urged Saudi investors to participate in these projects.

In January 2013, four major infrastructure projects under the PPP program have already been approved. The projects covers roads and railways, communications, and a gas pipeline.

In the past, the Saudi government contributed to infrastructure development in the Philippines, providing $20 million as soft loans for the development of various road projects in the Mindanao region. This was part of Saudi Arabia’s commitment of $100 million to Philippine development projects.

Creative Industries/Knowledge-Based Services

Besides diversifying its markets and increasing its concentration on the production of goods and services with clear competitive advantage, the Philippines is looking to further value-add growth sectors such as IT-BPO and penetrate high growth markets in Asia to achieve the projected growth of the country.

Under its 2012 Investment Priorities Plan, investment in preferred activities such as the creative industries will be given incentives. The creative industries cover business process outsourcing (BPO) activities, and IT and IT-enabled services that involve original content.

The Philippine BPO industry is reputed globally to have talented, highly-proficient in English, and service-oriented human resources. It is also cost-competitive, strategically located (gateway to Asia) and boasts of excellent telecom infrastructure, reliable infrastructure support and strong government-private sector partnership.

According to the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippine, the revenues of the information technology business process management sector alone grew 19 percent in 2012 to $13.2 billion while employment rose 21 percent, bringing in additional jobs of 137,066 and ending last year with a total workforce of 776,794 individuals. The industry is targeting revenues worth $25 billion and 1.3 million jobs by 2016.

Members of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) posted $8.7 billion in revenues, an increase from 2011 by 18 percent. The next biggest segment of IT-BPM is corporate services, which includes knowledge process outsourcing and back-office services, which grew 20 percent with total earnings at $2.5 billion.

The Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA) meanwhile reported a 17 percent growth in revenues, earning $1.16 billion in 2012. The healthcare information management revenues also increased rapidly to $460 million or 66 percent growth.

Fastest growing in terms of revenues was the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP), which leapt more than three times from $14 million in 2011 to $50 million in 2012.

Clearly, the Philippine BPO industry is a promising investment opportunity. — SG

Saudi Gazette - Philippines eyes stronger ties with KSA

 

[Fsjal]

So, the BRP Gregorio Del Pila fired its main gun (yippy Kai yai), World Bank keeps eye on Philippines (but they are still behind in economy), racism from HK fans (typical) and an AFP general pledges for defending soveriegnity.

Nothing new... same old news

 

[Zero_wing]

One your wrong again as usual first its the Ramon Alcaraz same class of ship but the wrong ship the goyo is here and the Alcaraz is in the states and again rural areas not the whole country is rural but soon it reach those areas Read before you post that makes never mind i think you already know

 

[Malaya]

Japan eyes Philippines, US keeping China in check

Kyodo News
Posted at 06/14/2013

TOKYO - Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera is making final arrangements to visit the Philippines later this month and Hawaii in the United States next month in a bid to keep China in check, a Japanese government source said Friday.

Onodera, during his trip to the Southeast Asian country from June 26 and his Hawaii trip on July 1, aims to stress the need to ensure maritime safety based on the rule of law amid China's growing assertiveness at sea, the source said.

In Hawaii, Onodera aims to reconfirm that the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea fall under the scope of the Japan-U.S. security treaty which requires the United States to defend Japan in the event of an armed attack.

Ahead of the July 4 start of the House of Councillors election campaign, the government also wants to assure conservatives at home that Japan is maintaining a hard-line posture in security issues, political analysts say.

The Japanese defense minister plans to discuss with Philippine Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin the current tensions in the East China Sea and South China Sea and coordinate their responses to China, the source said.

Japan and China remain at odds over the ownership of the Senkaku Islands. Japan says no dispute exists since the islets are an inherent part of the country's territory in terms of history and international law, while Beijing claims the islands and calls them Diaoyu.

China is also involved in a dispute with the Philippines and several other Southeast Asian nations over the ownership of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Both Tokyo and Manila have protested Chinese vessels' intrusion in their respective territorial waters near the disputed areas.

In Hawaii, Onodera is also set to discuss with Adm. Samuel Locklear, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, on whether the current missile defense system is sufficient to deal with North Korea given Pyongyang's progress in missile development.

Since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe came to power in December, he has been striving to bolster defense ties between Japan and other countries, having already sent top officials of the Self-Defense Forces to Southeast Asian nations including Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Japan eyes Philippines, US keeping China in check | ABS-CBN News