PHL reaffirms commitment to international treaty vs spread of nuclear weapons 

THE PHILIPPINES has reaffirmed its commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), according to a statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs, citing goals to advance peace, security and development ahead of a conference for its review held in New York. 

“Our commitment is rooted in the Constitution, in our laws and regulations and national aspirations for peace and development,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo said in a statement on Monday evening.

“The humanitarian consequences of use of nuclear weapons are too unimaginable to consider,” he said. “No nuclear weapons should ever be used and there is nothing that justifies their salience in the military and security doctrine of any nation.”

He also emphasized the importance of keeping the southeast Asian region free from nuclear weapons. 

The Philippines, along with other non-nuclear weapon states, also asserted its right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.

“The Philippines upholds our inalienable right to use nuclear energy and nuclear-related technologies for peaceful purposes and in pursuit of our environmentally-conscious climate-change-resilient sustainable development,” Mr. Manalo said. “The national framework for this is robust and is being further developed.” 

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has said that his administration will be reexamining the country’s approach and policy towards nuclear energy. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan