The Philippine government supported the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Joining the resolution expressing “explicit condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine”, the Philippines called on concerned parties to resort to the 1982 Manila Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes stating “it will at least halt the ongoing tragedy for a while.”
The 1982 Manila declaration refers to the “obligation of all States to settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered,” as it stressed “the obligation for all States to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.”
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The statement from the Philippines Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York said, “In the current fog of lies, we have yet to determine the true casualties on both sides. We appeal for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructures. We strongly urge the cessation of hostilities; but while an offense can be stopped at will the defense cannot rest until the offense stops.”
The copy of the statement posted by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on its official Twitter account added, “We especially condemn the use of separatism and secession as a weapon of diplomacy for inviting and inflicting terrible cruelties and indiscriminate killings far in excess of that of any other kind of conflict. We saw this in the Balkans and in Africa.”
[THREAD] Philippine statement at the emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on Ukraine, 28 Feb 2022@teddyboylocsin @PHMissionNY
— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) February 28, 2022
