WAR’S FIRST VICTIM’

Duterte urges US and North Korea to exercise restraint

MANILA

THE Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is deeply concerned with recent developments in the Korean peninsula, and cautioned that escalating tensions could lead to war, which would be disastrous to the region.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said the key players in the conflict — North Korea and the United States, both with nuclear weapons in their arsenal — should exercise restraint.

“I am expecting a call from President (Donald) Trump later tonight. I would tell him, Mr President, please see to it there is no war, because my region would suffer.

“The first fall-out would be Asia,” he said at the end of the 30th Asean Leaders’ Summit here yesterday.

His statement on the Summit, which is expected to touch on the Korean peninsula, was not yet released at press time.

He said North Korea’s nuclear tests and firing of ballistic missiles had put the region and the entire world on edge.

“One miscalculation of a missile would cause a catastrophe, and the first victims would be Asia and Southeast Asia.

“If those are really nuclear warheads, then it means the end of the world. Everybody suffers only because two nations are playing with their dangerous toys.”

In his opening address at the Philippine International Convention Centre yesterday, Duterte said Asean must remain a rules-based, people-centred and peopleoriented association.

“Asean must stay true and steadfast to its processes of integration, innovation, inclusivity and connectivity. History will judge us on how we are able to help our people.”

Duterte, known for his hard-hitting approach against illegal drugs, also called on the region’s leaders to realise a drug-free Asean, saying the drug scourge threatens Asean’s efforts in community building.

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