Palace concerned over possible entry of nuclear warheads in West PH Sea

Malacañang is standing firm on its commitment to maintain the Southeast Asian region a nuclear-free zone following reports that China might bring nuclear elements to the disputed South China Sea.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement after the Pentagon warned that China’s outposts in the Spratly Islands may soon be powered with a “nuclear element.”

In his press briefing, Roque said that the Philippine government is concerned with the possible entry of nuclear elements from all countries and not just from China.

“We are concerned about the entry of any and all nuclear weapons into the Philippine territory because our Constitution provides that we are nuclearfree zone,” he said Thursday.

Roque also noted of the treaty by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations which declares the whole region as a nuclear-free zone.

“We are concerned about the possibility that any foreign power be it American, Russian, Chinese, may bring nuclear warheads into our territory and into ASEAN, which is declared as a a nuclear-free zone,” he said.

“So the concern is against all possible nuclear-carrying vessels from all countries,” he added.

Meanwhile, Roque said that the Philippine government will try to verify Pentagon’s report.