Amid the failed rocket launch, the Philippine government on Friday reiterated its call to North Korea not to repeat such “threatening and provocative act.”
“The Democratic People's Republic of Korea should reconsider its current path of isolation from the international community. The Philippines strongly urges the DPRK to desist from acts of provocation and to end its use or testing of ballistic missile technology,” the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
North Korea, which defied the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, proceeded with its planned launch despite the overwhelming opposition by the international community.
“For these reasons, the Philippines deplores the launch, notwithstanding its failure,” the DFA said.
The rocket was launched at 6:50 a.m. Manila time but crashed into the western coast of South Korea after few minutes in flight.
The DFA said North Korea should "abide by the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and abandon all existing weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner."
It added that the Philippines is ready to work with international partners in the effort to ensure peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
