Pacquiao on Russia-Ukraine crisis: War is not the solution

FILE PHOTO: Senator Manny Pacquiao. (Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Conflict between Russia and Ukraine is raging but for world boxing champion-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao, war is not the solution to the problem.

He said he is issuing this remark as he is an “international figure” that is known across the globe.

“As an international figure, kilala ako sa buong mundo. Ang masasabi ko lang ay hindi solusyon ang giyera sa problema. ‘Pag mag-giyera ka diyan, both sides talo. Lahat magbubuwis ng buhay, magsimula uli sa panibago, sayang ‘yung panahon,” the senator, who is running for president in the May 9 polls, said in an interview in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

(As an international figure, I am known across the globe. All I can say is war is not the solution because both sides experience loss. Everybody will sacrifice their lives, start over again, it is not worth the time.)

According to him, disagreements could be resolved through dialogues and not violence. He said war should be the last option, and if worse comes to worst, as a member of the United Nations, the Philippines would have to support its ally amid war.

On Monday night (Manila time), the Philippines voted in favor of a United Nations resolution expressing “explicit condemnation” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Earlier, Pacquiao called on all Filipinos in Ukraine to immediately evacuate as Russian forces continue to invade the eastern European country.

KGA