Philippines to comply with UN sanctions on North Korea

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -- The Philippines said Monday it will comply with a UN Security Council resolution that imposes tough new economic sanctions against North Korea.

“When they say it concerns all products, we will abide," Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez was quoted by GMA News as saying.

Foreign Minister Alan Peter Cayetano said last week Manila will immediately comply with the sanctions as instructed by the presidential office.

“We are one with the world in wanting denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. We are against anything that causes instability. We are against provocation. We are for dialogue,” Cayetano said.

Lopez, however, noted that he has not yet received a copy of the UN resolution and its guidelines, so it was not clear if it covers all products or whether the Philippines may be allowed to trade food products, being they are basic commodities for “humanitarian purposes”.

Manila, this year’s chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has expressed grave concern over reports of North Korea’s detonation of a hydrogen bomb and other missile tests conducted recently which undermine regional peace and stability.

Cayetano urged Pyongyang to return to the negotiating table and offered ASEAN’s willingness “to play a role in creating diplomatic space to effect meaningful dialogue”.