The Philippines supports Japan's increased military role.

Specifically, President Aquino supported Japan deploying troops overseas to protect its allies.

On June 24, the Philippine leader agreed with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to boost the country's military role.

Philippine President Aquino enthusiastically shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Abe (photo: AP)

President Benigno Aquino III, after meeting with Mr. Abe, expressed his support for Mr. Abe's proposal to reinterpret Japan's pacifist constitution to allow the Japanese military to defend not only Japan but also its allies under attack.

"We believe that well-intentioned nations benefit only when the Japanese government is empowered to assist other countries and is allowed to provide support to those in need, especially in the area of ​​collective defense," Aquino told reporters at a joint press conference.

Prime Minister Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party is engaged in arduous negotiations with its coalition partner, the Komeito Party, which has so far avoided Abe's proposal to pursue collective self-defense. Under the current interpretation of the constitution, the Japanese military can only use force to defend Japan.

Aquino's support comes as Japan and the Philippines strengthen security ties amid China's military expansion and the territorial disputes they and many other Asian countries are experiencing with China in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

Without explicitly naming China, both Aquino and Abe alluded to the changing security environment.

China has criticized Japan's efforts to build a collective defense system and warned of the risk of a resurgence of Japanese militarism, which caused so much destruction in parts of Asia before and during World War II.

President Aquino acknowledged the damage the Philippines had suffered at the hands of Japan and stated that relations between the two countries since then have been marked by mutual trust and support.

According to VOV