Nuclear test ban group lauds PH's contributions to global security

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) lauded the Philippines for its global peace and security contributions through Filipino scientists’ high-quality data gathering and scientific monitoring.

“Your colleagues, your people here, they are doing a super job, and they are contributing to global peace and security by [providing] consistent, good, high-quality data which we put together in Vienna,” Robert Floyd, CTBTO executive secretary, told President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. during a courtesy call on Tuesday.

“We share it with all 187 states that belong to our treaty, so you are making a material contribution towards the confidence states can have that nobody can cheat,” Floyd added.

Floyd said CTBTO has expressed belief that the organization has to do everything it can to protect the global norm against nuclear testing during uncertain times.

Floyd also said this includes the International Monitoring System (IMS), which spans the globe and has a unique network of monitoring stations and laboratories.

Floyd was scheduled to visit the IMS stations in Tanay and Tagaytay, according to the Presidential Communications Office.

“It does my heart good to meet your technical people and down at the Taal Volcano observatory who are doing that work and they’re so proud of it. It was a wonderful thing yesterday to visit them,” Floyd said.

Marcos has been vocal about his desire to adopt nuclear energy as one of the country's energy sources.

Floyd is in Manila to participate in the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting on Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (ISM NPD).

He will deliver the keynote address during the ARF ISM NPD dinner and present CTBTO’s work. —KG, GMA Integrated News