Palace welcomes Trump-Kim landmark summit

June 13, 2018

Malacanang hailed on Wednesday the landmark summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Singapore.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque expressed the Philippines' willingness to extend support to achieve peace and security in the region and the world.

"This development, which has underscored in the strongest terms the value of diplomacy and peaceful dialogue, augurs well for the peace, security and stability in the region and the world," he said.

"History has indeed been written. At the same time, this is but the beginning of a process. The Philippines is ready and willing to lend its support toward bringing it to fruition," Roque added.

During the meeting between Trump and Kim on Tuesday, they signed a joint statement in which the North Korean leader reaffirmed his "unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.”

Trump said they agreed to vigorous negotiations to implement the agreement as soon as possible.

But in the meantime, Trump said sanctions against North Korea stay.

"The sanctions will come off when we are sure that the nukes are no longer a factor.  Sanctions played a big role, but they'll come off at that point.  I hope it's going to be soon, but they'll come off," he said in a press conference in Singapore.

During the Philippine chairmanship of  the Association of Southeast Asian Nations last year, Duterte pushed for North Korea's denuclearization. Celerina Monte/DMS