MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) - Malacañang on Monday welcomed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) support for the Philippine position on North Korea's planned rocket launch this month.
"We appreciate the common position shared by the ASEAN community on the Philippine stance on North Korea," Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a text message.
President Benigno Aquino said earlier on Monday that he is gravely concerned that the debris from the rocket may fall on Philippine territory.
He said the government is preparing for any eventuality but did not elaborate on the nature and scope of the preparations.
He also confirmed that the satellite launch will be discussed during the 2-day ASEAN summit meeting which will start on Tuesday in Cambodia.
He admitted, however, that there is no guarantee that Pyongyang will listen.
"Nag-umpisa na ho tayo doon pa lang sa Korean…sa summit na Nuclear Non-Proliferation kung saan naglabas ng statement on behalf of the republic si Vice President (Jejomar) Binay, "he said. On top of that, I have the occasion doon sa inauguration 'nung PEFTOK memorial and the training center by the Koreans also to reiterate our opposition to this launch."
"Parang napaka-basic, may gusto kang testingin na armas mo or kung anumang aparato mo, bakit naman ipapahamak 'yung teritoryo ng mga ibang bansa? Wala naman yata sa lugar 'yan. Kung mayroon kang peperwisyuhin, eh sana naman i-contain mo na lang sa lugar ninyo dahil 'yun ang ginusto ninyo, kayo na lang ang mapahamak diyan," he added.
"We will bring the matter up before our ASEAN brother countries, because a lot of them and also the dialogue partners of ASEAN are affected by this missile launch," Aquino said.
"Yung pinakamasakit nga diyan, magpe-prepare tayo ng areas na baka bagsakan. North Korea has preceded to do what they want for such a long time na parang, to a large degree, ay hindi tayo iniintindi. Hindi tayo, hindi America, hindi South Korea -- wala silang iniintindi."
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