BANGKOK, Thailand —President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has maintained the Philippines' position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying the war is "unacceptable."
Marcos in an interview with reporters on Saturday, Nov. 19, said that while the country continues to employ a "friend to all, enemy to none" foreign policy, he joins other Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies in calls to end the war.
"I kept reminding everyone that our national policy, our foreign policy rather, our foreign policy is based on the national interest and peace. And that’s our guide. And I think that people understand this very well. We are maintaining that," he said.
"However the war rather is unacceptable," he added.
He said he also joins the appeal that peace be brought back to Ukraine as he reiterated that "the effect is not solely upon Ukraine or Russia."
This, he said, is something that was even made clearer in the APEC meet here.
"There were several speeches that I made all of them included urging that peace be brought back to Ukraine and that the confrontation be brought to diplomatic space. Para wala ng gulo at (To end the war)... Because the effect is not solely upon Ukraine or Russia," the President said.
"I think it’s very clear. It was made even clearer here in APEC, how the effects have been so far-reaching and profound and to the detriment of many economies and the food supply of everyone in the world," he pointed out.
He further said that the fighting must stop and "we have to move on to diplomacy so that we at least, these other aspects of the Ukrainian and Russian economy can be productive again."
Through a declaration, most of the 21 APEC member economies strongly condemned Russia for invading Ukraine.
WATCH: President Marcos maintains the Philippines' position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, says the war is "unacceptable." @manilabulletin pic.twitter.com/8t8Vct3VC7
— Betheena Unite (@MB_unite) November 19, 2022