Trillanes pushes for passage of bill on prohibition of Chemical Weapons

In affirmation of the country's commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention, the first disarmament agreement that provides for the elimination of and prohibits the development of chemical weapons for all time, Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV sponsors Senate Bill No. 2042 or the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act.

The Philippines became a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993. As of October 2013, 190 states have already signed to be part of this endeavor.

Trillanes, Chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security, said, "We have been firm in honoring our obligations under the Convention. In fact, the Anti-Terrorism Council of the Office of the President, which acts as the Philippine National Authority on the Chemical Weapons Convention, has been participating in different activities and capacity-building trainings related to the Convention's implementation, together with other government agencies and private sector."

"However, despite our efforts, we cannot fully implement its provisions in the country due to lack of a legislative framework that will give teeth to its implementation."

SBN 2042 provides for the legislative framework for the effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in the country. It prohibits, under any circumstance, the development, production, manufacture, acquisition, possession, stockpile, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons, or engagement in any other activities prohibited under the Convention.

Furthermore, SBN 2042 establishes a separate and permanent Philippine National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention. It will serve as the national coordinating body for effective liaison with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the implementing body of the Convention, and other State Parties to the Convention, and be the lead agency in the implementation of the provisions of the Convention.

"As a signatory to the Convention, the immediate passage of this bill is necessary to maintain our country's commitment to international peace and security. It would be a vital step towards maintaining the peaceful and meaningful utilization of chemicals and the creation of a treaty regime which will ensure that governments from different states will fulfill their national obligation of implementing chemical disarmament and non-proliferation," Trillanes added.