SC orders gov’t to defend Japan drills

THE Supreme Court has ordered the government to defend the legality of recent joint military exercises with Japan following a petition by a left-wing political party.

The Alliance of Concern Teachers party’s petition questions the constitutionality of the exercises, which were held without a treaty being approved by the Senate.

Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te says the magistrates on Tuesday ordered President Benigno Aquino III’s office, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and other officials to counter the petition by explaining why the exercises were constitutional.

The alliance also has sought a temporary restraining order on a memorandum of defense cooperation signed by Philippine and Japanese officials in Tokyo in January.

A Japanese surveillance plane and about 20 troops held two days of joint training with the Philippine navy last month.

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