South Korea vows to protect foreigners

MANILA, Philippines - South Korea continues to assure foreign diplomatic missions that it is capable of protecting the country and ensuring the safety of foreigners there, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Philippine embassy in Seoul diligently monitors developments in the Korean peninsula.

“We have a contingency plan which we are continuing to update as we speak,” Del Rosario said in a text message to reporters.

DFA spokesman Raul Hernandez said embassy officials have informed them that the situation in South Korea remains normal and calm, and that it is prepared to implement its contingency plan should the situation call for the repatriation of Filipinos.

Del Rosario said during the last few days, the Philippines has been in close coordination with its international partners including the United States and South Korea.

“Our collective conclusion, notwithstanding the escalating provocation of the DPRK, would indicate that imminent threat is not present,” he said.  DPRK refers to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, North Korea’s official name.

Reports said the US and South Korea have drawn up plans for a measured tit-for-tat response to North Korean actions, which will be limited in order to prevent an escalation to broader war.

On Monday, the DFA said no Filipino in South Korea has signified intention to leave because of the tension. There are around 40,000 Filipinos in South Korea.

Hernandez said the contingency plan is based on solid intelligence and assessment of the situation by the Philippine embassy, in coordination with the UN command, South Korean authorities, and the US forces.

Meanwhile, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago said the Philippines should stay neutral on the issue of North Korea’s threats to launch a nuclear attack against South Korea and its allies.

“I will emphasize, the Philippines is neutral. We are a non-nuclear weapon country. We’re not part of this dispute,” she said.

Santiago said the only concern is when the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) would be invoked once the United States is attacked in its so-called metropolitan territory. The Philippines is mandated to help its ally.

 But the senator expressed doubt that North Korea would be able to send nuclear missiles to the US.

“Apparently that’s not possible. So we have to emphasize that we are neutral and therefore North Korea must observe the principles of neutrality and should not do any harm to us because we are not a player in this game,” she said, adding the Philippine government should be concerned about managing the risk that comes with an explosion within the area. – With Christina Mendez