PHL seeks mutual interests with other nations

by MARO TOKYO, Japan -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Wednesday (October 26) that  the Philippines will honor its tre...

by MARO

TOKYO, Japan -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Wednesday (October 26) that  the Philippines will honor its treaty obligations and agreements with other countries as long as mutual interests between countries converge.

Yasay said the  Philippines is in the process of enhancing engagements with as many countries as possible in pursuit of an independent foreign policy that serves the needs of the people.

He said the country seeks amity with all nations on the basis of a policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom and cooperation.

"Any partnership with any country must be based on convergence of interests.  In this regard, the highest form of convergence of interests in international relations is expressed through treaties and conventions.  We will respect and abide by all our treaty commitments," Yasay said.

Asked about alleged extra-judicial killings in the Philippines, Yasay responded by saying there is no state policy sanctioning the killings of those arrested in drug-related cases.

He said, however, there will be no let-up in the campaign against the drug menace, which has affected a majority of the nation's barangays, the smallest political unit in the Philippines.

Spokesperson Ernesto Abella who was together with Yasay during the press conference said, "The Philippines has shifted to the second phase of the drug war, as government now regards the widespread use of illegal drugs from being a national security issue to a public health issue, which includes education aside from rehabilitation."

Meanwhile, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez has confirmed the positive results of the President's visit to Japan. "There are committed investments running up to about US1.85 billion dollars, covering 12 MOUs and Letters of Intent, and they will employ about 250,000," Lopez told Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Examples of investments and expansion generated by the visit involve automotive or car manufacturing, state-of-the-art egg production, renewable energy production, and e-vehicles.

Lopez said Japan made a commitment "to buy US $20 million worth of boxes of fruits, especially bananas from the Philippines, and much will come from Mindanao in rebel-returnee areas, so this will help promote economic activities in that part of our country." (MARO)