Palace 'chides' Japan over travel advisory, seeks dialogue

Malacañang on Friday “chided" Japan for issuing a new travel advisory on kidnapping and criminal activity in the Philippines, saying Tokyo could have discussed the matter with Manila first. But for now, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Philippine government will seek a "clarification" from Japan on its latest advisory. “Ang [mga] bansang ito ay itinuturing nating allies. Mainam bago mag-issue ng advisory sana nagkaroon ng talakayan at palitan ng information," Coloma said in an interview on dzXL radio. (There are nations we consider allies. It would have been better if they discussed their concerns and exchanged information with us before issuing the advisories.)

On Thursday, Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura said his government issued its own travel advisory on the Philippines, but warning more against criminal activity than terrorist attacks. Katsura was quoted in newspaper reports Friday that Japan issues advisories near the end of the year when a significant number of Japanese tourists travel to the Philippines. The advisory was different from those issued by six countries earlier, warning of possible terrorist attacks on the Philippines. Among the countries that issued advisories against terrorist attacks were the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and France. Coloma said that in the case of Japan’s advisory, the Philippines may seek a “constructive dialogue" with Japan Embassy in Manila. “Tuwing magkakaroon ng ganyang travel advisory ang gagawin ng pamahalaan alamin sa embahada to engage them in constructive dialog para malaman sa mas malawak at malalim na paraan ano ang batayan ng kanilang in-issue na advisory at para makapagbigay tayo ng ating panig," he said. (Whenever there is a travel advisory like this, our government will engage the other nation in a constructive dialog to clarify its basis for issuing the advisory. The dialog will also allow our government to air our side.) — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV