Gov't to stay mum until safety of Filipinos in Syria is assured
Published Apr 16, 2018 03:39 pm
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang is staying mum for now on the reported missile strikes launched by the United States, France, and Britain on Syria until it ensures that Filipinos in the troubled state are safe.
The Damascus sky lights up with surface-to-air missile fire as a US-led attack targeted different parts of the Syrian capital early Saturday, April 14, 2018. (Hassan Ammar / AP / Manila Bulletin)
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the comment after it was reported that the said countries launched missiles on Syria last week. This was condemned by both Russia and China.
"Binabalanse po ng gobyerno natin yang mga ganyang mga pananaw. Pero sa ngayon po, ang number one na binibigyan ng importansya ay ang safety ng ating mga mamamayan na nasa Syria (Our government is balancing the situation. But for now, the number one concern is the safety of Filipinos in Syria)," Roque said in his Palace press briefing Monday morning.
"Meron po tayong mahigit kumulang mga isang libong mga kababayan doon sa Syria. So itaatupag po muna natin ang kanilang kaligtasan at tsaka na po tayo gagawa ng policy statement pagdating mismo sa issue ng pambobomba sa Syria (We have more or less 1,000 fellowmen in Syria so we are first working on ensuring their safety before we comment on the issue)," he added.
When asked when will President Duterte be prepared to issue a statement, Roque said that he expects it to be "soon."
According to Roque, the Philippines, being a member of the United Nations and bound by the UN Charter, knows that there are guidelines on the use of force.
"Chapter 7 says that the use of force must be by way of self-defense or when authorized by the UN Security Council. Pero meron din pong development sa international na tinatawag na (But there is also a development in the international law that is called), 'responsibility to protect,'" he said.
"We are a member of the United Nations, we know the provisions of Chapter 7 of the United Nations. There is a development on the Responsibility to Protect, but right now, it's the safety of our citizens that is a primordial importance," he added.
The US is a long-time ally of the Philippines while Russia and China are two countries which leaders are very close to the heart of President Duterte.
Would PH help US?
Despite being close allies with the United States, Roque said he is unsure if the Philippines will be sending troops if the US asks for help.
"I would not know. I have not been given information in this regard. And I would rather wait instructions from the President himself," he said.
"I'd rather he gives me directive by way of instructions on what to announce to the public," he added.
President Duterte earlier lashed out against the US anew, saying that the Philippines will no longer participate in their wars nor expeditions.
"I’m addressing America right now, whatever expeditions that you will conduct, any wars that you will fight in any other countries, count us out," Duterte said.
"Wala kaming nakuha (We gained nothing from you) all these years of sacrifice except brutality and agony. We will stand on our own," he added.
The Damascus sky lights up with surface-to-air missile fire as a US-led attack targeted different parts of the Syrian capital early Saturday, April 14, 2018. (Hassan Ammar / AP / Manila Bulletin)
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the comment after it was reported that the said countries launched missiles on Syria last week. This was condemned by both Russia and China.
"Binabalanse po ng gobyerno natin yang mga ganyang mga pananaw. Pero sa ngayon po, ang number one na binibigyan ng importansya ay ang safety ng ating mga mamamayan na nasa Syria (Our government is balancing the situation. But for now, the number one concern is the safety of Filipinos in Syria)," Roque said in his Palace press briefing Monday morning.
"Meron po tayong mahigit kumulang mga isang libong mga kababayan doon sa Syria. So itaatupag po muna natin ang kanilang kaligtasan at tsaka na po tayo gagawa ng policy statement pagdating mismo sa issue ng pambobomba sa Syria (We have more or less 1,000 fellowmen in Syria so we are first working on ensuring their safety before we comment on the issue)," he added.
When asked when will President Duterte be prepared to issue a statement, Roque said that he expects it to be "soon."
According to Roque, the Philippines, being a member of the United Nations and bound by the UN Charter, knows that there are guidelines on the use of force.
"Chapter 7 says that the use of force must be by way of self-defense or when authorized by the UN Security Council. Pero meron din pong development sa international na tinatawag na (But there is also a development in the international law that is called), 'responsibility to protect,'" he said.
"We are a member of the United Nations, we know the provisions of Chapter 7 of the United Nations. There is a development on the Responsibility to Protect, but right now, it's the safety of our citizens that is a primordial importance," he added.
The US is a long-time ally of the Philippines while Russia and China are two countries which leaders are very close to the heart of President Duterte.
Would PH help US?
Despite being close allies with the United States, Roque said he is unsure if the Philippines will be sending troops if the US asks for help.
"I would not know. I have not been given information in this regard. And I would rather wait instructions from the President himself," he said.
"I'd rather he gives me directive by way of instructions on what to announce to the public," he added.
President Duterte earlier lashed out against the US anew, saying that the Philippines will no longer participate in their wars nor expeditions.
"I’m addressing America right now, whatever expeditions that you will conduct, any wars that you will fight in any other countries, count us out," Duterte said.
"Wala kaming nakuha (We gained nothing from you) all these years of sacrifice except brutality and agony. We will stand on our own," he added.