The sun sets behind US Navy ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) docked at the Manila Pier in Manila on Saturday. The 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Joseph Aucoin is scheduled to hold trilateral staff talks with officials from the Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during its port stop.(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government said it impounded the North Korean freighter Jin Teng being in Subic Bay Freeport based on sanction imposed by the United Nations after it carried out nuclear and ballistic missile tests.
Quoting an update reports from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Undersecretary Manuel Quezon III said the Philippines has an obligation to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2270.
UNSC Resolution 2270 states that North Korean vessels such as the Jin Teng are subject to asset freeze by UN member states.
“So ang nangyari, ‘yung UNIO (United Nations and other International Organizations) office ng DFA coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard,” Quezon told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan in an interview Saturday.
The MV Jin Teng, a North Korean vessel carrying agricultural products, unloads cargo at the former Naval Supply Depot wharf in Subic Bay Freeport, Friday. The ship is among 31 vessels that would be affected by United Nations sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear program.(MNS photo)
“Ngayon, according to this clarification, sabi ng New York permanent mission natin, ang ibig sabihin ng asset freeze is that kailangan i-impound basically ang bapor na ‘yun.”
The ship will be impounded in the port and its crews will be deported to North Korea, according to Quezon.
A team from the UN might also come to inspect and the Philippine government will report to the UN on its actions after holding the ship, he added.
“Alam natin naabala ang daigdig sa mga nangyayari sa North Korea dahil sa mga nuclear weapons program nito at ang pagde-develop ng mga intercontinental ballistic missles at dahil dito nag-impose ng sanction ang United Nations Security Council,” according to Quezon.
“Bilang bahagi ng UN, meron tayong obligasyon na maki-isa sa mga sanctions na ito.”
The Jin Teng, carrying palm kernels, arrived in Subic from Palembang, Indonesia Thursday afternoon, just hours after the UN passed its latest sanction against the reclusive nation.
As a response, Pyongyang fired six short-range missiles into the sea on Thursday, while North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un ordered its nuclear arsenal put on standby for pre-emptive use. (MNS)