PH condemns North Korea’s rocket launch—DFA

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines on Wednesday condemned North Korea’s decision to proceed with its rocket launch, saying it violated United Nations (UN) resolutions.

The statement was issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) hours after the rocket was launched at 9:49 a.m. Korean time (8:49 a.m. Philippine time), noting that  debris of the rocket fell in the sea 300 kilometers east of the Philippines.

The DFA noted that the decision was in “clear violation” of three UN Security Council resolutions which “explicitly demanded the country not to use or conduct any launch using ballistic missile technology and the suspension of its ballistic missile program.”

The department cited UN Security Council resolutions 1695, 1874, and 1718.

The Philippines had joined the international community in criticizing the rocket launch as a disguised missile ballistic test and urged North Korea to “desist from acts of provocation.”

“The Philippines joins other governments in urging the DPRK to undertake steps towards confidence-building and engagement with the international community in order to ensure peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the entire Asia Pacific region,” the DFA said.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council had ordered a no-fly-no-fish-no-sail in parts of Northern Luzon in the wake of the rocket launch.