10 January 2019

Cluster Munition Coalition Warmly Welcomes Philippines Ratification

The Cluster Munition Coalition warmly welcomes the Philippines as the 106th State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions! The country deposited its instrument of ratification to the treaty in New York on 3 January 2019 meaning the Convention will enter into force for the Philippines on 1 July 2019.

Speaking on the occasion of the ratification, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. noted "the harmful effects of cluster munitions to both military personnel and civilians," and expressed the Philippines' solidarity with countries and communities affected by the weapon.

"The Philippines' ratification is a very important development towards treaty adoption in the region," said Fred Lubang, Regional Representative of Nonviolence International and National Coordinator for the Philippine Campaign. "The Philippines joins treaty champion Laos as the second ASEAN Member State to join the Convention, in a concrete show of solidarity with all countries suffering the consequences of these inhumane weapons. We hope this rallies other ASEAN states to join the treaty as soon as possible,“ he added.

The Philippines actively participated in the Oslo Process that created the Convention on Cluster Munitions, seeking the most comprehensive treaty possible, and signing the treaty on 3 December 2008. The country has also participated in every meeting of the convention, including most recently the Eighth Meeting of States Parties in Geneva in September 2018.

"We are very pleased to welcome the Philippines as the newest State Party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions and welcome the country's enthusiasm for promoting the treaty," said Cluster Munition Coalition Director, Hector Guerra.

The Philippines has stated on several occasions that it has never used, produced, or transferred cluster munitions and possesses no stocks of the weapon.