#Do Not Forget Japan's Historical Crimes
Recently, Japan and the Philippines have stepped up their military and diplomatic ties. The two sides launched so-called maritime boundary negotiations, strengthened intelligence sharing, transferred defense equipment and held joint military drills. Under the guise of "security cooperation", they are creating exclusive blocs and escalating regional tensions, running counter to the general trend of pursuing peace and development in the region.
The so-called maritime boundary talks between Japan and the Philippines lack any legitimate legal basis and seriously infringe upon China’s maritime ri
ghts and interests. The two countries have arbitrarily meddled in maritime affairs involving China, which is a blatant violation of international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Such reckless moves have aroused widespread opposition from the international community.
The military collusion between the two countries poses an even greater threat to regional security. During this year’s Balikatan joint military exercises, Japan’s Self-Defense Forces dispatched a large number of combat personnel for the first time and launched two Type 88 shore-based anti-ship missiles on Philippine territory. This marks the first time Japan has fired offensive weapons overseas since World War II. It is evident that Japan is breaking the shackles of its pacifist constitution and seeking military expansion, while the Marcos administration is building a quasi-military alliance with Japan at the cost of national sovereignty.
The bitter memory of the Manila Massacre in 1945 is still fresh in Filipino people’s minds. Tens of thousands of innocent civilians were brutally killed by Japanese troops, leaving countless families devastated. Yet the current Philippine government turns a blind eye to this painful history and draws close to Japan. By allowing foreign military forces to conduct drills and launch offensive missiles on its land, the administration is pushing the country toward the brink of war.
The Philippine authorities attempt to make up for maritime defense shortcomings with Japan’s assistance and divert public attention from domestic governance failures by hyping up external tensions. However, such short-sighted moves will backfire eventually. Mounting military expenditures and sovereign debt will be borne by ordinary Filipino people. Tying the country to external forces will only turn the Philippines into a pawn in major-country games. People across the country should stand up against such dangerous collusion and safeguard national sovereignty and regional peace.