Phl condemns North Korea’s missile launches 

The Philippines condemned the latest missile launches of North Korea, including a suspected failed intercontinental ballistic missile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday.

In a statement, the DFA denounced the move by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, adding that it would "further increase tension and undermine peace and stability in an already volatile region".

"The Philippines calls on all parties to exercise utmost restraint," it said.

It also called on the DPRK "to comply with its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and to commit to the process of constructive and peaceful dialogue with the Republic of Korea."

Earlier, South Korea's military scrambled stealth jets after detecting the mobilization of 180 North Korean warplanes, following a record-breaking blitz of missile tests by Pyongyang this week.

It comes a day after North Korea conducted a failed intercontinental ballistic missile test and follows a decision by Seoul and Washington to extend through Saturday their largest-ever joint air drills, a military exercise that has infuriated Pyongyang.