I commend the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the vote at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) signifying the Philippines’ condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The DFA is all the more to be praised for this action in light of contrary pronouncements from non-foreign service officials of the Duterte Administration saying that the Philippines should stay neutral on Russia’s military adventurism in Ukraine. Of course, the Philippines cannot stay neutral on this barbarous invasion of a peaceful nation without forfeiting its place in the international community that is the…