Tillerson thanks Cayetano for Philippines’ ‘strong leadership’ in opposing North Korea

MANILA, Philippines — The United States has expressed its gratitude to the Philippines for its opposition to North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, citing the Southeast Asian nation’s “strong leadership” in helping put pressure on the rogue state.

According to a statement by the US State Department dated December 28, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson spoke by phone with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alan Peter Cayetano last week where the former thanked the latter for backing moves to counter Pyongyang.

In turn, Tillerson pledged continued US support for both stabilization efforts in battle-scarred Marawi City and counterterrorism operations in the Philippines.

“The Secretary thanked Secretary of Foreign Affairs Cayetano for the Philippines’ strong leadership in opposing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful nuclear and missile programs, particularly in its role as 2017 Association of Southeast Nations Chair,” the statement said.

“Both sides agreed to work to increase bilateral cooperation under the US-Philippines alliance on these and other pressing issues in 2018,” it added.

Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously approved tough new sanctions against North Korea in response to its latest launch of a ballistic missile that Pyongyang says can reach anywhere on the US mainland. 

The resolution was drafted by the United States and negotiated with the North's closest ally, China.

Meanwhile, North Korea called the latest UN sanctions "an act of war" that violates its sovereignty, and said it is a "pipe dream" for the US to think it will give up its nuclear weapons.

Last month, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who sits as this year’s ASEAN chair, condemned North Korea’s nuclear ambition and supported Japan’s moves to counter threats posed by the hermit state amid heightened tensions.

The Philippine leader, known for his colorful language, had called North Korean leader Kim Jong Un “chubby” and “son of b***h.”

He had likewise described Kim as a “nutcase” playing with “dangerous toys.”

At the ASEAN Regional Forum last August, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho said Washington's hostile policy and nuclear threat toward Pyongyang is the root cause of the problem amid concerns from several foreign ministers.

Ri also stressed that North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons is a war deterrence to end the threat and to prevent the military invasion of the US.

The statement came days after ASEAN foreign ministers released a joint statement expressing grave concerns over North Korea's testing of ballistic missiles.