Philippine President Benigno Aquino said Tuesday he is backing the Abe administration's reinterpretation of the Constitution to be able to exercise the right to collective self-defense because of the situation Filipino peacekeepers in the Golan Heights have encountered since last year.

Speaking before delegates from the Japan National Press Club at the presidential palace in Manila, Aquino said the Philippines welcomes the move of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Cabinet as it sees Japan, which it regards as its closest ally after the United States, as capable of extending help to Filipino troops in distress in conflict areas being monitored by the United Nations.

"We do not view with any concern this reinterpretation of the Constitution," Aquino said.