07 October 2017•Update: 13 October 2017
By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
The head of the Philippines' Foreign Affairs on Friday said there's no room for comfort in the face of an escalating nuclear threat, reiterating the country's decision to distance itself from North Korea.
Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano's reiteration came following news that North Korea is gearing up for a long-range missile test that can reach as far as the west coast of the United States of America (USA).
“North Korea keeps telling us that we are friends, they are our friends, and they have warm relationships. But they don’t give an opening to talk of how to stop the nuclear weapon program there," Cayetano said in comments carried by ABS-CBN News.
"When you have the North Korean leader, claiming to have missiles that would have far reaches, and you’d have his hand on the trigger, then you have the United States saying we’re watching you and ready to do anything, including your destruction. You know, there’s no room for comfort,” he said.
Last August, the Philippines voiced its grave concern and slammed North Korea after it fired a ballistic missile over Japan and into the Pacific Ocean.
Cayetano, in a statement, recalled the statement of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers, reiterating their grave concerns over North Korea's nuclear test.
Also last September, Cayetano announced the banning of all trade relations between the Philippines and North Korea, also known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
He called on the DPRK to halt the provocative actions, which heighten tensions, increase instability and the risk of miscalculation, and could possibly endanger lives.
According to Cayetano, the suspension of trade relations was in compliance and support to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution including the economic sanctions against DPRK.
The Philippines is one of North Korea's larger trade partners, with total trade between the countries valued at around $85 million U.S. dollars last year, with North Korea importing over $30 million in machinery.
