PH PREPARING FOR GUAM-NOKOR CONFLICT
AFP says northern country’s coastal areas might be affected if North Korea will fulfill its threat
Malacañang yesterday assured the public that the Philippine consulates in Seoul and Agana have been preparing for situations that would arise should North Korea strike US military bases in Guam.
In a statement, Palace spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the Consulate General in Agana have been working closely to prepare the Filipinos "for any eventuality."
Around 42,835 Filipinos living in Guam could be affected if North Korea will make good its threat of attacking US bases by missiles.
"The Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the Consulate General in Agana have been monitoring the situation closely and have been working closely with the Filipino communities in the Republic of Korea and Guam, respectively, to ensure preparedness for any eventuality," Abella said.
Malacañang also reiterated its call for continued exercise of self-restraint among all parties to avoid aggravating the situation.
"The Philippines reiterated its call for continued exercise of self-restraint in order to de-escalate the tension and to refrain from actions that may aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula," he said.
The North Korean Government has threatened to fire missiles into Guam, a US pacific territory, before mid-August, after heated exchange with the United States over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.
Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson Restituto Padilla earlier said the northern coastal areas of the Philippines might be affected if North Korea will fulfill its threat.
Guam is located around 2,500 kms. east of the Philippines.