Article by:
Joyce Ann L. Rocamora
MANILA – The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on Friday called on the international community to reaffirm its commitment to settling disputes through peaceful means.
The statement came as Ukraine continues to counter Russia's attack that began on Thursday, with fierce battles reportedly taking place close to the capital Kyiv.
On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, citing preliminary data, said at least 137 people -- soldiers and civilians --- were killed on the first day of attacks by Russian troops.
“According to our information, the enemy has identified me as the number one target. My family is the number two target.
“They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state,” he added.
"The Philippines calls on the international community to reaffirm by more than words its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes. We recall the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes which provides the legal framework for recourse to diplomacy, dialogue, and rule of law," the DFA said.
"In the present crisis, where the situation is not irreversible and there is no compelling reason for any of the protagonists to resort to hostile actions, turning to the Manila Declaration is the pragmatic and decent way to go," it added.
It urged all parties to exert every effort to stick to diplomatic and peaceful means to maintain international peace and security and avert a humanitarian crisis.
The Manila Declaration is a landmark instrument on the peaceful settlement of international disputes and reaffirms that all States shall refrain from threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.
It also reiterates that no State or group of States has the right to intervene, directly or indirectly in the internal affairs of any other States.
In addition, it outlines several means for dispute settlement, including negotiation, inquiry, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, judicial settlement, resort to regional arrangements or agencies, or other peaceful means of their own choice.
It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in November 1982.
Meanwhile, evacuation efforts for Filipinos in the eastern European states are underway.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said he will also fly to Europe to personally oversee the repatriation, which remains voluntary at this point.
"I'm going with Asec. Jet Ledda and George Pineda my protocol to personally see to the safety of my people at the Ukrainian border. Deeply grateful to Poland. We'll never forget this," he said in a tweet on Friday
Neutral
Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense (DND) said the Philippines remains neutral over the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
"Tayo naman (and for us), we'll closely watch what's happening there and be prepared. Tayo neutral muna tayo ngayon (we will be neutral)," Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters.
Though the Philippines is far from the conflict area, Lorenzana said this will still have an impact as this is among contributory factors to soaring oil prices.
Lorenzana, in a separate statement, assured that the DND is closely watching developments on the matter "with utmost concern".
"We are monitoring the situation closely and are standing by to assist our other government agencies led by the Department of Foreign Affairs in repatriating our citizens from Ukraine, if and when we are called upon to do so. We hope that the situation does not escalate beyond what can still be resolved through diplomacy and the international rules-based order.
Australia and Japan have already imposed sanctions against Russia over its attacks on Ukraine while Taiwan and South Korea are expected to follow suit.
Despite slapping tough sanctions against Moscow, the United States said it is not keen on sending troops to Ukraine amid the conflict.
Learning lessons
Meanwhile, a senatorial candidate said the Philippines must learn from the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, especially in terms of boosting defense capability.
“One of the lessons that we can learn from the Russia-Ukraine conflict is that we should not expect other countries to fight for us, and therefore, the necessity to strengthen our territorial defense capability,” former Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement.
Eleazar said the government must sustain the ongoing modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
He also joined the calls for the stop of the fighting in Ukraine, saying it is always the civilians who suffer the brunt of the armed conflict. (with reports from Priam Nepomuceno and Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
Log in with Google