27 May 2014 - The Philippines’ contributions to global efforts on nuclear non-proliferation were highlighted during a meeting of the Security Council here as the country’s own Permanent Representative called on the full implementation of a resolution on the elimination or prevention of proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs).
At the Security Council meeting held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of resolution 1540 (2004) on May 7, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, noted that much progress had been made by the international community on nuclear non-proliferation. He also underscored the efforts by the Philippines to comply with resolution 1540, stressing that “the Philippines takes its responsibilities seriously and has demonstrated its will accordingly through positive actions.”
Ambassador Cabactulan cited as an accomplishment under President Benigno S. Aquino’s term the preparation of the Strategic Trade Management Act, the purpose of which is to prevent the proliferation of WMDs and their means of delivery through the establishment of a national strategic goods control list and providing a regulatory framework
Ambassador Cabactulan also cited, among others, the Philippines’ regular provision to the Chair of the Security Council Committee established under resolution 1540 (2004) of a comprehensive list of measures undertaken by the Philippine Government to ensure the implementation of the resolution.
These include the development of Counter-Terrorism Capacity, Facilities Upgrade such as the establishment Transport Control Communication Center at the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) to monitor, control and coordinate the movement of Category 1 and 2 sources within the country, the Megaports Initiative Project which includes the establishment of the Central Alarm Station Monitoring Unit, and, the National Single Window Project.
Apart from the Philippines’ ratification of the IAEA Additional Protocol, Ambassador Cabactulan also cited draft legislation currently pending review such as the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act of 2012 known as “An Act Prohibiting the Development, Production, Stockpiling, Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction and Providing Penalties Therefore.
Ambassador Cabactulan also cited the development of a Code of Philippine National Research Institute Part 27 on “Security Requirements in the Transport of Radioactive Material” which aims to ensure the security of radioactive materials during transport and prevent illegal diversion, trafficking, theft and/or sabotage of such materials during transport.
Despite the progress made, however, Ambassador Cabactulan said more needs to be done. He expressed “disappointment that four years after the 2010 NPT Review Conference,” the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and All Other Weapons of Mass Destruction had yet to be convened. Ambassador Cabactulan stressed that “Our responsibility – and indeed the challenge - now is to match those words with clear and concrete actions fulfilling our commitments. Pacta sunt servanda.”
Ambassador Cabactulan presided the successful 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference which resulted in the adoption by consensus of an Action Plan: 64 points plus two major issues, one on the DPRK with reference to the Six Party Talks, and another on the Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and All Other Weapons of Mass Destruction. END