The Philippines has taken a strong stance against the use of nuclear weapons in Asia as it said "there is nothing that justifies their salience in the military and security doctrine of any nation."
In a statement ahead of the 10th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Sec. Enrique Manalo said "no nuclear weapons should ever be used."
He said that the "preservation of Southeast Asia as a region free from nuclear weapons is of fundamental importance."
"The humanitarian consequences of use of nuclear weapons are too unimaginable to consider," he added.
According to Manalo, the Philippine commitment to preserve a nuclear-free Asia is rooted in the Constitution as well as in the Philippine laws and regulations and national aspirations for peace and development.
"We recognize that international arms control and disarmament instruments like the NPT are fundamental to a rules-based international order that sustains the security of nations and the conditions for our peoples to thrive in peace," Manalo said.
The foreign affairs chief vowed that the country will work closely with state parties of NPT States Parties as well as through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) to contribute actively to making the 10th Review Conference productive and meaningful.