PH voices ‘deep concern’ over NKorea missile test

THE Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), on Wednesday voiced deep concern over North Korea’s ballistic missile test on March 25.

MISSILE TEST This photo provided by the North Korean government, shows what it says a test fire of newly developed new-type tactical guided projectile by the Academy of Defense Science, at an undisclosed place in North Korea on March 25, 2021. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: “KCNA” which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. PHOTO BY AP

“Such actions seriously undermine regional peace and stability not only in the Korean Peninsula, but also in the entire region,” the DFA said in a statement.

The Foreign Affairs department said Manila “expresses deep concern over DPRK’s (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) latest ballistic missile launch on 25 March 2021.”

“We reiterate our call on the DPRK to comply with its international obligations under relevant UN (United Nations) Security Council resolutions and commit to the process of constructive dialogue,” it added.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul on Sept. 27, 2019 commemorated the 69th anniversary of the participation of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces To Korea (PEFTOK) in the Korean War.

The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 and the Philippines was the first Asian country to respond to the call by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to send combat troops in the defense of South Korea from the invasion of the North.

PEFTOK was composed of 7,420 Filipino soldiers, including former president Fidel Ramos, then a young Army lieutenant.

The DFA said “their bravery and combat proficiency stood out, especially during the Battle of Yuldong and the Battle of Eerie Hill.”

Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Noe Wong led the wreathlaying ceremony at the War Memorial of Korea to honor the Filipino heroes of the Korean War.

Wong recalled the arrival of 1,400 Filipino soldiers in Busan on Sept. 19, 1950, the first of the five Filipino battalions that helped defend South Korea.

The five Filipino battalions that served under the United Nations Command (UNC) came to be known as the PEFTOK.

PEFTOK casualties included 116 killed in action, 299 wounded in action, 57 missing in action and 41 repatriated prisoners of war.