The Philippines on Wednesday joined the appeals for an "early and peaceful" resolution between Russia and Ukraine, calling on the parties involved to forge a peace accord.
In a statement released by Malacañang, the country reiterated its position that "war benefits no one, and that it exacts a tragic, bloody toll on the lives of innocent men, women, and children in the areas of conflict."
"The conflict in Ukraine has economic, trade, and human resource implications for our country and for our people. As we monitor the current situation, every Filipino has the right to know what the government is doing to prepare for any eventuality," the statement read.
"We appeal for an immediate end to the unnecessary loss of life, and call on the states involved to forge an accord that can help prevent a conflagration that could engulf a world still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic," it added.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte met with his Cabinet secretaries, officials of law enforcement agencies, and business executives to discuss the situation in Ukraine.
With this, acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles assured the public that the government is "mitigating measures and contingency plans will be in place as part of the government’s pro-active response to the conflict in Ukraine."
"We appeal for an immediate end to the unnecessary loss of life, and call on the states involved to forge an accord that can help prevent a conflagration that could engulf a world still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic," Nograles stated.
"We are one in prayer, together with all peace-loving citizens, that they be guided by wisdom and a genuine desire to save lives, establish harmony among neighboring nations and forge a just and lasting peace for humanity," he added.
With Russia's assault on Ukraine, several countries such as the United States, Canada and the European Union slapped sanctions on Moscow which involves freezing of bank deposits, suspension of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, halting of military exports, and banning Russian aircraft in the airspace of various countries.
Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on February 24, gathering hundreds of thousands of troops along its border.
