PH joins call for global ceasefire amid pandemic

The Philippines joined 52 countries in support of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ call for an immediate global ceasefire in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We echo the secretary-general that it is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and fight together on the true fight of our lives,” read a statement dated March 30 that was signed by 53 countries including the Philippines. “An immediate global ceasefire would markedly reduce these impacts, allow for much-needed humanitarian assistance and protection, and hopefully diminish the spread of COVID-19,” they said. —Dona Z. Pazzibugan