Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 11) — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on Friday called on North Korea to comply with United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions as he expressed “grave” concern over the latter’s firing of ballistic missiles this year.
At the 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit Retreat in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Marcos cited recent developments that negatively impacted global economic growth and “uncovered the real struggle facing the human race: the defense of the common universal values that underpin our common humanity.”
Among those he discussed were the nuclear tensions escalated by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
“The Philippines reiterates its grave concerns over the series of missile launches conducted by the DPRK this year,” Marcos said.
“We call on the DPRK to comply with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and we encourage the continuation of dialogue and engagement among concerned parties with the aim of stabilizing the situation in the region,” he added.
Marcos also said his “greatest fear” is for nuclear weapons to become “conventional.”
“It will encourage others to unleash their nuclear weapons. This will be the end of us all,” he warned.
During the talk, the Philippine leader also said the conflict between Taiwan and China poses a similar cause for concern.
On Wednesday, Marcos said he hopes to discuss the issue on the West Philippine Sea with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterparts in the region.
READ: Marcos wants to bring up WPS issue with Xi Jinping, ASEAN leaders
Xi has skipped the gathering in the Cambodian capital, with China’s Premier Li Keqiang in attendance.
However, Marcos will make a state visit to China in January at Xi’s invitation, Malacañang announced on Friday.
