THE Philippines is one with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in seeking a peaceful solution in the pursuit of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago “Chito” Sta. Romana said, stressing that this would help stabilize the Asia-Pacific region.
Sta. Romana told The Manila Times that “maintaining a peaceful and stable situation in the Korean Peninsula is an important pillar in preserving peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, including Southeast Asia.”
“With this objective in mind, the Philippines seeks to maintain open lines of communication with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPKR or North Korea) while taking into account the sensitive political atmosphere and serious situation in the Korean Peninsula,” he said.
He made the statement following the declaration of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un earlier that he would strengthen his nation’s nuclear-armed military.
Sta. Romana assumed his post as Philippine envoy to China in March 2017. He is also the nonresident Philippine ambassador to Mongolia and North Korea.
He pointed out that the Philippines’ top concern “is the safety and well-being of the thousands of Filipinos in Northeast Asia, which is why it is in the Philippines’ interest that a peaceful, stable, and denuclearized Korean Peninsula should be maintained.”
“The Philippines stands with Asean in calling for all parties concerned to go back to the negotiating table and pursue peaceful dialogue while exercising self-restraint in resolving the Korean Peninsula issue,” he said in an emailed statement.
Asean is composed of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Calling for attention
Political and security analyst Prof. Rommel Banlaoi said Kim was trying to influence the United States’ foreign policy behavior under the Biden administration toward DPRK.
Banlaoi pointed this out when asked whether he thinks Kim was merely trying to get the attention of President Joe Biden considering that he made the pronouncement a few days before the latter’s inauguration as the US’ 46th president.
“I think Kim is posturing again in order to strengthen its leverage against the US under Biden leadership,” Banlaoi told The Times.
Banlaoi is the chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research and Center for Intelligence and National Security Studies director.
“Kim is trying to influence the NK [North Korea] agenda of the US that will strengthen the bargaining position of Pyongyang when Biden decides to resume talks with NK,” he said.
The professor said that Kim’s statement about his nuclear program will again raise concerns on the peace and stability in the Asean region.
“North Korea’s actions pertaining to its nuclear capability development and posture have always been viewed in the region as threatening as these actions are exacerbating the security anxieties of its neighbors, particularly major powers like the United States and Japan,” Banlaoi said.
Asked if the Philippines should be concerned about Kim’s intention to strengthen North Korea’s nuclear-armed military capabilities, Banlaoi replied, “It has been the position of the Philippine government to see the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula because of its nuclear-weapons free policy in the 1987 Constitution and Philippine adherence to principle of Weapons Free Zone in Southeast Asia.”
“Thus, North Korea’s intention to beef up its nuclear power capabilities is a source of security concern in the Philippines,” said Banlaoi, also the president of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies.
Senate resolution
The Senate is set to vote on February 1 on Senate Resolution (SR) 620 under Committee Report 162 titled “Resolution Concurring in the Ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).”
Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd, who sponsored SR 620 as chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said, “Nuclear weapons do not discriminate. We cannot afford another nuclear arms race.”
He noted that the Philippines signed the treaty on Sept. 20, 2017. The instrument of ratification was sent by the Office of the President to the Senate on Nov. 18, 2020.
“This is the first globally applicable multilateral agreement to comprehensively prohibit nuclear weapons on the basis of international humanitarian law and the Philippines is among the first states to sign it,” Pimentel stressed.
Sen. Ana Theresia Hontiveros, who co-sponsored SR 620, said the TPNW “is groundbreaking and a step in the direction of creating an international norm of conduct.”
“With 86 nations signing it and 52 so far ratifying it — perhaps we will be the 52nd — the collective voice of humanity is clear: nuclear weapons should be banned forever, as we have banned landmines and biological and chemical weapons,” Hontiveros said.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri agreed.
“Nuclear war is unthinkable. if there will be a nuclear war, I think that would be the end of the world,” he said.
Source: ManilaTimes
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