PH prodded to join global call to stop war
THE Philippines should stand in solidarity with the world in calling for Russia to stop the war on Ukraine.
Noting that what has happened to Ukraine might embolden other powerful countries that have disputes with weaker nations, AP party-list nominee Ronnie Ong said the United Nations (UN) should match its words with actions by mobilizing multinational support to directly provide aid to Ukrainians.
Ong said although the Philippines is a very small nation and is too far away from Ukraine, the government should agree to contribute by sending troops if the UN decides to intervene and mobilize multinational forces to repulse the Russian invasion.
“Nakakabahala itong nangyayari sa Ukraine hindi lamang dahil malaki ang epekto nito sa pangkalahatang ekonomiya ng mundo kundi dahil maaari itong magbigay ng lakas ng loob sa ibang mga makapangyarihang bansa na gumawa ng kahalintulad na aksyon laban sa mga mahihinang bansa gaya ng Pilipinas,” Ong said.
“Kailangang makiisa ang Pilipinas hindi lamang sa panalangin kundi maging sa panawagan at konkretong aksyon para lisanin ng Russia ang Ukraine,” he added.
Ong said the failure of the United Nations and powerful security alliances like NATO to stop the Russian invasion is a grim and worrying reminder that small and defenseless nations like the Philippines can be easily invaded by other powerful nations.
“The UN and the NATO should walk the talk and show Russia that it cannot just invade another nation. Ang tila kawalan ng aksyon para mapigilan ang invasion ng Russia ay maaring bigyan ng kahulugan na wala naman palang magagawa ang mga ito kapag ang sangkot ay isang superpower,” Ong said.
“I’m sure maraming bansa ang nakahandang tumulong para lumakas ang pwersa ng UN kapag kailangan nitong makialam upang maibalik ang kapayapaan sa Ukraine,” he added.
Ong said the Philippines is similarly situated with Ukraine because of its territorial dispute with another military giant which is China.
Ong said the way the UN and NATO are handling the situation in Ukraine is an “eye-opener” as it is now very clear that the Philippines has no other option but to pursue continuous negotiations to defuse tensions in the disputed areas.
“Itong pangyayari sa Ukraine ay isang eye-opener dahil ipinapakita nito na di tayo maaaring umasa sa ibang bansa at sa mga alyansa. Kailangang tayo mismo ang gumawa ng mga hakbang upang tuloy-tuloy ang kapayapan,” Ong said.
