The Philippines will vote in favor of the United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s “unprovoked armed aggression” against Ukraine.
In a statement following UNGA’s extraordinary special emergency session, the Philippine delegation appealed to protect civilians and end the unrest in Ukraine.
It added that “while an offense can be stopped at will, the defense cannot rest until the offense stops.”
The UNGA emergency session, which began at 10 a.m. local time (11 p.m. Philippines time), was made after Russia used its veto power on Friday to block a Security Council resolution condemning their military’s offensive in Ukraine.
Earlier, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippine government would be “neutral” in the ongoing clash between Russia and Ukraine.
But in a presidential debate on Wednesday, presidential candidate and Senator Panfilo Lacson said the Philippines should unite with “peace-loving” countries that criticize Russia’s actions.
Even though the Philippines is far away, the senator said that the Philippines would be affected in the economic matter when the situation worsens, and it is possible to send the wrong message to other countries what Russia has done.
PH will support UN resolution to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
“Join the community of nations in condemning kasi (because) after all it is an encroachment on international law… Ang delikado pa sa atin kasi kung ma-establish ang precedent na ‘yung Russia puwede pala mag-invade ng sinasabi nilang territory nila baka…mangyari naman sa atin sa mga islands natin sa West Philippine Sea. Huwag naman sana. ‘Yon ang mga implikasyon na hindi natin mahulaan e,” he explained.
According to the UN, this is the first UNGA emergency special session since 1982.
Last week, Russia began its attack on Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the separatist leaders of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in Ukraine had asked him for help to prevent an alleged attack on them by Ukrainian forces.
Putin also considered Ukraine a threat to Russia, so the invasion was carried out to cripple its military capability.
However, Western countries and the United Nations do not believe Putin’s reasons. Russia allegedly violated Article 2 of the UN Charter, which stipulates members not to use force and intimidation in resolving conflicts.
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