SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan - The Philippines made the right move in supporting the United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but it would be better for the country to take the role of a peacemaker in the community of nations.
PROMDI Party standard bearer Sen. Manny Pacquiao aired this observation as he called on world leaders to continue working on the restoration of peace in the Eastern Europe, saying that he is issuing the appeal as an ‘international figure.’
Pacquiao said it would be better for the Philippines to take the role of a peace maker among nations in the world.
“Mas mabuti sana kung magiging peacemaker tayo. Pero siyempre miyembro tayo ng UN, kaya tama rin na suportahan natin ang mga allies natin. (I would be better for us to be peacemakers. But since we are a member of UN, it is also correct for us to support our allies,),” the Mindanaoan senator said.
During his legendary career in international boxing, Pacquiao has befriended many world leaders who have come to idolize him for his remarkable boxing skills.
“As an international figure, ang masasabi ko lang ay hindi solusyon ang giyera sa problema. Kapag may giyera, both sides talo. (As an international figure, i can only say that war is not the solution to the problem. Both sides end up losers in war),” Pacquiao told reporters during a press briefing here.
“My advise to both Ukraine and Russia is that war is not the solution, killings will not resolve the problem. At the end of the day, kapag may war, may patayan, lahat talo. (if there is war, there is killing, everybody loses),” said Pacquiao, also the presidential candidate of PDP-Laban (Pimentel Wing).
The senator took time off his campaign events here to talk to the media and aired his stand on the Eastern Europe conflict.
He appealed to leaders of Russia and Ukraine to consider war as a useless endeavor that result to the death of people from both sides.
“I hope I i-consider naman nila ang halaga ng buhay ng mga namamatay at mga pamilyang naapektuhan sa labanang ito. (I hope they will consider the value of life and the families affected in this war),” stated Pacquiao.
Earlier, Pacquiao urged government to ensure the safety of Filipinos based in Ukraine, which has been the target of a Russian invasion ordered by President Vladimir Putin.
The Philippines has kept its silence since the start of the Russian siege last week but on Saturday, it voted in favor of a UN resolution expressing “explicit condemnation” of Russia’s actions.
“The Philippines votes 'yes' to the UNGA ( UN General Assembly) resolution and expresses explicit condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine. Not one can trust news reports of casualties on either side but 1`4,000 have been killed since 2014,” the Philippines declared in a statement that is expected to be delivered on Monday during UNGA emergency special session.