MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday urged all parties in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to cease hostilities, return to diplomacy and take into account the human cost of the war.

“We are also concerned with the severe and disruptive international economic ramifications of this ongoing conflict, particularly on global food and energy security and commodity supply chains,” President Marcos said during his intervention in the 41st ASEAN Summit Retreat Session.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has already affected businesses and people’s livelihoods as it impacts the prices of fuel, food and other commodities.

Strains in Cross-Strait relations present similar cause for concern, said the President, who is on the second day of his participation in the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

Marcos also echoed the call of the ASEAN foreign ministers in their joint statement last August calling for maximum restraint as they urged all parties to refrain from provocative action.

“We always urge peace in the resolution of these conflicts,” the Philippine leader said.

The President also raised North Korea’s recent missile launches, as well as the threat posed by its nuclear arsenal. (OPS)