Pyongyang, December 20 (KCNA) -- The Philippine Foreign Ministry made public a statement on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il on Dec. 19.

The statement expressed deep condolences over the demise of the DPRK's Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il.

It noted that the Philippines would value the relations with the DPRK and promote and maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region including the Korean Peninsula by continuously cooperating with the DPRK and thus ensure the sustainable prosperity of the region.