Aside from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Philippine government has to be "vigilant and prepared" over the situation in North Korea, presidential candidate Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said.
Lacson, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, is reacting to reports of recent aggressive behavior from North Korea, including the firing of a suspected ballistic missile days before presidential elections in South Korea.
“We need to watch this carefully, this is very close to us and quite unpredictable,” said Lacson, noting that over the past weeks North Korea has reportedly tested missiles twice.
While North Korea claimed its tests last Feb. 26 and March 4 were connected to a new reconnaissance satellite program, the United States pointed out that analysis indicates it may be testing an ICBM or intercontinental ballistic missile.
A statement from the US Indo-Pacific Command also stated that the "recent series" of ballistic missile launches by the DPRK “violate multiple UN Security Council resolutions and pose a threat to the DPRK's neighbors and the international community.”
The US Indo-Pacific Command, in response to North Korea's activities, has increased its surveillance and reconnaissance collection in the Yellow Sea. It also enhanced readiness among its ballistic missile defense forces in the region.
The Philippines, for its part. needs "to be equally vigilant as any flashpoint involving the Republic of Korea and Japan affects thousands of Filipinos in these two countries, aside from military responses from other quarters,” according to Lacson.
"I hope that it does not come to this and that diplomacy will prevail. However, the reality is that the situation requires vigilance and preparedness on our part,” Lacson reiterated.