US invites Phl to peace board

United States President Donald Trump has invited the Philippines to join the Board of Peace (BOP), a US-initiated multinational body focused on post-conflict solutions, including the reconstruction of Gaza.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez said on Thursday that Trump, through the White House, sent a personal letter to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally inviting Manila to take part in the initiative.

Romualdez said the Philippine government is still reviewing the nature and scope of the commitment being sought.

“Of course, we have to find out how we can be of help. We’ve always been for finding a way to contribute to any kind of peace effort,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the commemorative logo for the 80th anniversary of US-Philippines relations in Pasay City.

“If this is something that the Philippines can be part of, then very likely, we’ll accept the invitation,” he added.

The envoy said there is no fixed deadline for Manila’s response, but noted that a decision could be made within the coming weeks.

“Our Department of Foreign Affairs and, of course, our other institutions, we are looking at what are the angles and how we can help,” Romualdez said.

He clarified that the reported USD1 billion contribution applies only to countries seeking permanent membership in the board.

“We were invited, perhaps to be part of it. Maybe we can contribute our human resources or something along those lines, but I don’t think at this point in time we can afford to put any kind of amount, of money outside,” he said.

The BOP was launched on January 22 during the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and is being positioned as a key component of a US-led peace framework aimed at ending hostilities in Gaza and restoring stability in the region.

The body is expected to provide strategic oversight and mobilize international support during the post-conflict transition in the enclave.

So far, Indonesia and Vietnam are the only Southeast Asian countries that have joined the board.