Marcos Jr. reiterated that due to the Philippines’ proximity to Taiwan, if a conflict were to occur in the Taiwan Strait, the Philippines would likely be unable to stay out of it.
In an interview with Japanese media in Manila on Monday, Marcos Jr. stated that since the Philippines is adjacent to Taiwan and with nearly 200,000 Filipinos working in Taiwan, if war breaks out in the Taiwan Strait, the Philippines will inevitably be affected.
He said that the Philippines does not wish to be involved in any war concerning Taiwan, but geographically, at the very least, northern Philippines would be impacted.
“If confrontation or conflict really happens, looking at the map alone makes it clear that northern Philippines would be drawn in or affected,” he said.
According to Bloomberg, Marcos Jr. is expected to make a state visit to Japan next week and meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss security cooperation.
Marcos Jr. made similar comments regarding the Taiwan issue last year, which drew dissatisfaction from Beijing.
In addition, he stated that despite territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, the Philippines is still working to strengthen engagement with China in order to maintain regional peace.
“We have now raised the level of engagement with China,” he said.
He also revealed that senior diplomats and other government officials from the Philippines and China plan to hold talks “in less than a month.”
He said that the Philippines does not wish to be involved in any war concerning Taiwan, but geographically, at the very least, northern Philippines would be impacted.
“If confrontation or conflict really happens, looking at the map alone makes it clear that northern Philippines would be drawn in or affected,” he said.
According to Bloomberg, Marcos Jr. is expected to make a state visit to Japan next week and meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to discuss security cooperation.
Marcos Jr. made similar comments regarding the Taiwan issue last year, which drew dissatisfaction from Beijing.
In addition, he stated that despite territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, the Philippines is still working to strengthen engagement with China in order to maintain regional peace.
“We have now raised the level of engagement with China,” he said.
He also revealed that senior diplomats and other government officials from the Philippines and China plan to hold talks “in less than a month.”