The Philippines is rallying behind the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) order to Russia to immediately suspend military operations in Ukraine.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 23, the country, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), expressed its support to ICJ's order on March 16 to instantly end the war.
"he Philippines notes the Court's pronouncements of its profound concern about the use of force by Russia and the continuing loss of life and human suffering in Ukraine," the DFA said.
"In this regard, the Philippines takes this opportunity to reaffirm its full support for the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations," it added.
The Foreign Affairs department stressed that the Court reminded that "States must act in conformity with their obligations under the United Nations Charter and other rules of international law.”
The Philippine government also urged both Russia and Ukraine to abide by the order and "peacefully settle their dispute" to maintain international peace.
"The Philippines further urges Russia and Ukraine to abide by the decision of the International Court of Justice and to continue exerting every effort, ‘short of the latter surrendering any portion or particle of a state’s sovereignty and the rights, privileges, and prerogatives pertaining thereto – war is not the worst evil nor is peace at the price of submission– to peacefully settle their dispute in the interest of upholding the rule of law and maintaining international peace and security," the DFA said.
The court’s ruling was in response to a suit filed by Ukraine on Feb. 27 accusing Russia of manipulating the concept of genocide to justify its military aggression.