Philippines' Yasay: to respect treaty obligations as long as mutual interests converge

Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay attends a news conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Japan October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon

TOKYO (Reuters) - Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Wednesday his country will respect treaty obligations as long as mutual interests converge. President Rodrigo Duterte, who on Tuesday described Japan as a true friend that played a "preeminent and peerless role" as a big investor and development partner, is set to meet with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe later on Wednesday. (Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Chris Gallagher)