A Palace Official on Thursday said the Philippines has no key role to play in easing up the ongoing North-South Korean tensions, saying if anything, the Philippines is a spectator on the sidelines.
“Most of the discussions are centered among the major players here, the Chinese, the Americans, the South Koreans, the Japanese. We’re really just kind of on the sidelines of this. We’re not playing a major role in these discussions,” Presidential Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang said in a briefing.
The reclusive North Korean government announced at the end of March that it was entering a "state of war" with South Korea – amid Pyongyang's criticisms against Seoul and Washington after it came under international sanctions for its nuclear test.
When asked what part the Philippines would play in trying to diffuse the tension, Carandang said being an ally to several countries involved limits the Philippines’ role in the resolution of the escalating tensions.
“Maliit na bansa tayo; allied tayo sa South Korea, sa Japan, sa United States, kaibigan din natin ang China even if there are issues. And we’re hoping if we can support them in finding a peaceful resolution to this, ‘yon lang siguro ang magiging papel natin,” he said.
Carandang also said, “Our number-one priority is to make sure that the Filipinos, who might number as much as 40,000 if I’m not mistaken, that we’re doing what we can to keep them out of harm’s way.” — LBG, GMA News
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