In light of the current crisis between Russia and Ukraine, the President asked the next government to investigate the use of nuclear energy as a prospective energy source for the country.

The President is pointing to the 620-megawatt nuclear power plant built in Bataan province under the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s government.

The President stated that he lacked a solution to the price increases of petroleum supplies, claiming that there would be no “new normal” if the Ukraine-Russia war did not end.

While reiterating his friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Duterte asked his “friend” to control his forces since he has a commitment to ensure that no civilians are killed or injured during the armed war.

The President stated that “I am not condemning President Putin. I am just sharing my sentiment which is also the sentiment of every human being na nandito sa kuwartong ito na it’s not the way how to fight a war.”

In his taped “Talk to the People” public briefing, which aired on Monday night, May 23, the President raised the possibility that the future government will look into nuclear energy.

“You know oil is not infinite, may katapusan ‘yan. Someday it will dry up,” the President said. “It would be good for any government to prepare for the possibility of making transition earlier from oil – ‘yung fossil fuel — to nuclear kasi nuclear is forever. Kaya lang medyo delikado ito,” he stated.

The President encouraged Filipinos to “pray” that the current military battle does not turn into a nuclear war. The President also warned that if the situation develops further due to the deployment of US military in the country, China may strike Taiwan and the Philippines.

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