Duterte calls for unity amid North Korean nuclear threat

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday called for unity against the threat posed by North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, whom he said was “playing with dangerous weapons” that could devastate the region.

During his visit to the Australian ship HMAS Adelaide, Duterte said the Philippines and its allies should support each other as they faced the challenges posed by the rogue state, which had been displaying its nuclear capabilities and conducting missile tests.

“Any distraction using nuclear bombs, nuclear arms, would destroy Southeast Asia immediately. And the Philippines is no exception,” Duterte said.

“It’s good to raise our awareness actually now. And it would be also to our advantage if you just go around showing solidarity with the rest of the world. Not only because we face so many challenges and threats but the small guy there in North Korea is playing with dangerous weapons,” he added.

Duterte warned that the region would suffer if North Korea continued to strengthen its nuclear capabilities.

“That is why we reiterate our full support with our Australian friends, Americans, and even Chinese, Malaysian, all, to show to this one guy that he has to stop threatening the world because he runs the risk of being destroyed first,” the Philippine leader said.

“But there will always be consequences for all of us. Nuclear bombs, you know, can create devastations, and create also arid lands among our environment. And that would be the first to suffer. And there will be chaos and hunger, and an aberration in our systems of life,” he added.

Duterte is puzzled as to how Kim has amassed an “impressive” collection of arms in such a short a time. He urged the Australian Navy to be vigilant in the face of the North Korean threat.

“To make sure, that we stand ready to help each other, and you can come always – maybe come over here to seek cover, but see to it that we also send some of ours,” he said.

“China appears to be the only monkey wrench in the violent plans of Kim Un - Un Jun - I can’t even pronounce the g****** stupid name. You have to keep watch over him. And it is always good to be prepared. I know that you are in a state of alertness. So are we,” the chief executive stated.

Status of Marawi campaign

Duterte also updated Australian sailors about the status of the campaign against Islamist terrorists that occupied Marawi on May 23.

“We’re coping. We hope that it would be finished in about one week. We have suffered casualties, the biggest so far in present years. And I am sad that terrorism has arrived in my land,” the President said.

Duterte advised the Australian Navy to beef up intelligence efforts and to make sure that any conflict would not go out of control.

He said there was nothing wrong with being strict in implementing immigration laws since it had something to do with the self-preservation of a nation.

Duterte ended his speech by welcoming the crew of HMAS Adelaide and by joking that he was ready to accept the ship once it was decommissioned.

“I hope you have time to visit the pleasant city. It could not compare to Australia…The captain said that if you decide to decommission this one and come up with a new one, just park it here. I’ll give you the ticket back home to Australia,” the President said.

HMAS Adelaide, the largest Navy ship of the Royal Australian Navy, is in the country until October 15 for a goodwill visit that is part of a regional deployment.

Duterte and security officials toured the vessel, which is designed to provide medical and humanitarian assistance during regional emergencies.