Russia vs. Ukraine: Where does the Philippines Take its Stand?

The whole world was in great in shock upon perceiving the Russia's inhumane attack, lack of clemency and erroneous invasion against Ukraine. Like the loud explosions heard in the country's capital city, the news also created a loud boom around the world. Every news stations stresses the headlines inclined with the present issue. The status about the situations, laments, panics and explosions in the country, as well as the prayers extended by the concerned citizens, flooded the various social media platforms.

Meanwhile, along with these stuffs happening, are people who are creating their respective conspiracies and theories. While others have that freedom of expression, some also tend to put blames on both of the country's leaders and the organizations like North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and European Union (EU), and others were cheering for either Russia or Ukraine's success. Evidently, it's not just both countries involved in the war were affected by its sobriety: this war affects the living and spares no one.

Furthermore, Philippines, one of the countries in Asia, can be taken down having its bilateral ties with Russia. It has also grown remarkably over the past few years, and there is an enormous potential for further cooperation according to acting Undersecretary Buensuceso (DFA, 2021). Moreover, it can also be considered that the Philippines established a formal diplomatic relations with Ukraine on April 7, 1992.

Now, the spotlight would point at the questions, 'amidst Ukraine vs. Russia, where does the Philippines take its stand?'.

First, the Russian president has mentioned that countries that interfere with Russian actions will face "consequences you have never seen," The Associated Press reported. 

Secondly, the Philippines has denounced what it considers as the “invasion of Ukraine,” voting to support a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution that condemned Russia’s actions against its neighboring country according to Tommacruz, 2022 of Rappler.

“Mr. President, the Philippines votes Yes to the UNGA resolution and expresses explicit condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine,” Manila said in a statement to be delivered at an emergency meeting of the UNGA on Monday night, February 28.

In simpler words, the country was in favor for Ukraine. Moreover, in the verge of voting to support the UNGA resolution, the Philippines, in accordance to Tommacruz, 2022, laid its attention and considered once more to the Manila Declaration on the peaceful settlement of international disputes, which was adopted by the assembly in November 1982. Thus, this document reiterates the obligation of states to settle disputes by peaceful means and through the rule of law. Further, in spite the president's statement 'better off in saying that my favorite hero is Putin' (Baclig, 2022), him, along with his country, stood to what they thought was the right thing to do.

Lastly, just days after the Philippines backed a United Nations resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Duterte said the Philippines would remain neutral on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He firmly believed that all countries would be affected if nuclear weapons are used in the crisis.

"I just pray to God that this will not really go out of control. I already told you, maybe, probably you might have heard me on TV, that if it is not put under control, the world is in danger. Once they start to push the button of nuclear warheads or nuclear bomb, well, as one commentator said, it will melt the world," Duterte said during the inauguration of the Narvacan Farmers' Market in Ilocos Sur last Friday.

In a world where different point of views about a certain issue are rampant, there is this so-called 'gray area' where someone can be either neutral, or choose whether which is the most accurate thing to do. It is worth-knowing that in spite of Philippines' relationship with Russia, the country did not think of the relationship they have and the things that are at stake. War is an execrable debacle, and not an answer to any conflicts we have. It's non-erasable blunder that can never be removed in the history. After all, what's the point of winning when many innocent lives have been taken. The true winner will always be the one who manifests kindness and implements peace.

Reference:

Baclig, C. ( n.d). Putin war on Ukraine: Will it change Duterte’s love for his ‘idol’?. Inquirer.net. Retrieved at: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1563509/for-posting-edited-putin-war-on-ukraine-will-it-change-dutertes-love-for-his-idol/amp

Department of Foreign Affairs. (2021, May 27). PHILIPPINES, RUSSIA CELEBRATE 45 YEARS OF RELATIONS, DISCUSS ACHIEVEMENTS, PROSPECTS OF BILATERAL TIES. Retrieved at: https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/dfa-releasesupdate/29018-philippines-russia-celebrate-45-years-of-relations-discuss-achievements-prospects-of-bilateral-ties

Tommacruz, S. (2022, February 28). Philippines condemns ‘invasion of Ukraine’. Rappler. Retrieved at: https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippines-condemns-russia-invasion-ukraine/.