DAVAO CITY—The Japanese government’s continuing assistance to the Philippines will include a subway station connecting Metro Manila, Tutuban and Malolos, Bulacan, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.
In November 2015, the two countries signed a $2-billion loan for the construction of the above mentioned 36.7-kilometer North to South subway station.
The said project will be the largest single project in the country funded by Japan’s Official Development Assistance, according to the DFA.
The agreement was signed after the bilateral meeting between former President Benigno Aquino III and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Pasay City.
Along with this, Kishida also vowed to continue its strategic partnership with the Philippines, particularly in maritime security and counterterrorism.
He said they will gradually deliver 10 vessels to the Philippines to further enhance its maritime law enforcement.
Like the Philippines, Japan also has a dispute with China over the Senkaku Island in the East China Sea.
Kishida said his country and the Philippines agreed not to use force or coercion in resolving their maritime conflicts with China.
“We agreed that in pursuit of a resolution to maritime conflict, it is important to base action to the rule of law and peaceful means and not through force and coercion,” he said.
Yasay said the Philippines shared the same sentiments on addressing the West Philippine Sea dispute with China.
He said they urged China to enforce maritime security based on the rule of law that should be “uncompromisingly respected.”
“Using force and provocation in order to assert territory is not the kind of action mandated by international law,” Yasay said.