Duterte asks nations to reject war, eliminate nuclear weapons

MANILA, Philippines — Reject war and work together to eliminate nuclear weapons.

President Rodrigo Duterte made this appeal to all countries in a video shared on Twitter on Monday by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

“No goals, however lofty, can justify weapons that destroy with such unforgiving brutality,” Duterte said.

The video, which also featured messages by other world leaders, was originally posted on YouTube by the City of Hiroshima to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing last Aug. 6, which was followed by the bombing of Nagasaki on Aug. 9.

“We must not forget: Nuclear weapons will not make us freer, stronger, or more secure. We must not waver. All nations should reject war and do everything to pave the path for peace. We must be firm. All nations must work together to eliminate nuclear weapons,” Duterte said.

“With our meaningful shared history, the Philippines and Japan have continued to do our utmost to fortify the foundations of peace, propel the course of progress and give full meaning to the promise of prosperity,” he added.

The US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945 reportedly killed around 140,000 people. Three days later, on Aug. 9, the US dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, where 74,000 people were killed, leading Japan to surrender and thus mark the end of World War II.

Other world leaders in the video were World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus, Belgium Foreign Affairs and Defense Minister Philippe Goffin, and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.

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