WHILE THE Duterte government would not speak about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the local government of Zamboanga City led by Mayor Beng Climaco called on everyone to pray for peace and for the war, which has killed thousands from both sides, to end soon.
Climaco, who is running for congresswoman in District 1, said: “As we commemorate EDSA, the world is also witnessing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as issues driving the standoff remain unsolved. Let us pray for Ukraine and Russia, let us pray for peace and God’s protection and let us pray that this tragic situation will end soon.”
The mayor said this during the commemoration of the 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25. “It was in February 1986 when the entire world witnessed how Filipinos fought and achieved democracy through a bloodless revolution,” Climaco said, referring to the people power-backed revolution that toppled the 21-year Marcos dictatorship.
President Rodrigo Duterte has not issued any statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. But the Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014 following the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
Japan and Taiwan have released strong condemnation of the conflict. But Filipino Defense Chief Delfin Lorenzana said the Philippines will remain neutral on the issue. “Wala naman tayong pakialam sa Europe kung ano ang ginagawa nila doon, hindi naman tayo katabi ng Ukraine. Tayo, neutral muna tayo ngayon,” he said.
However, Lorenzana clarified his statement after Filipinos and politicians alike criticized him. “Here’s to reiterate our official statement on the heart-breaking turn of events in Ukraine. I hope my recent interview won’t be taken out of context. Of course, I care. We all care, we are humans. Not only should we be aware but also be concerned of what’s happening in different parts of the world. But I reiterate what I said that I hope the principal players in this developing scenario could resolve their differences in a friendly and amicable way. For now, our top priority is the repatriation of our citizens from Ukraine to a safer place,” he later said.
But Senator Panfilo Lacson, a former national police chief, praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a “living hero” for leading the fight against the mightier Russian invaders.
“Snappy salute kay Ukraine President Zelenskyy! Isang ‘living hero’ ngayong panahon ng krisis. Handang mamatay para sa bayan. ‘Yan ang tunay na lider! Huwag niyong basta-bastang kalimutan ang giyera sa Ukraine bilang problema na malayo sa atin. Apektado tayong lahat diyan, una pa lang sa pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo, na makakaapekto rin ng pagtaas ng lahat ng presyo ng bilihin, logistics, at pagkilos.At bukod doon, habang palapit ang banta ng digmaan, pagisipan niyong mabuti... Pag nagkataon, sino ang pang-giyera mo?” he wrote on his Facebook page.
The United States and NATO and other countries are aiding Ukraine by sending lethal and non-lethal aids to help them defeat Russian forces. (Zamboanga Post)
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