By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday dismissed China’s accusation that his recent remarks on the possible Taiwan conflict amounted to “playing with fire,” reaffirming the Philippines’ resolve to defend its territory amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
In a press briefing at Malacañang, President Marcos defended his remarks while on a state visit to India last week, where he said the Philippines would inevitably be affected in the event of a military conflict between China and the United States (U.S.) over Taiwan.
The President cited the country’s geographic proximity and the presence of thousands of Filipino workers on the self-ruled island. The remark has since drawn the ire of China.
“I don’t know what they are talking about. Playing with fire? I was just stating facts. We do not want to go to war,” Marcos said, underscoring the inevitability of Philippine involvement should a war break out over Taiwan.
“But I think if there is a war over Taiwan, we will be drawn, hihilaan tayo sa ayaw at gusto natin. Kicking and screaming,” he added, warning that the Philippines must be prepared in the event of China’s attack on Taiwan.
“Hope is not a plan. I hope it doesn’t happen. But if it does, we have to plan for it already,” The Chief Executive declared, stressing that the priority is the safety of Filipinos and to avoid spillover of confrontations in Philippine territory.
There are an estimated 160,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan, many of whom are employed in electronics factories and domestic work. The Philippines has historically maintained a one-China policy while sustaining robust economic and people-to-people ties with Taiwan.
PH never backs down
Despite the recent increase in Chinese naval activity, President Marcos stressed that the Philippines has no plans to back down.
This follows the report of yet another incident in Ayungin Shoal between Philippine and Chinese vessels, “We have never instructed any of our vessels to back out,” the President said.
“Alam mo, I don’t know about other places, pero dito sa—dito sa gobyernong ito, hindi tayo umaatras sa laban. We’re brave. Filipinos are brave,” he added.
The Chief Executive reiterated the administration’s stance that it seeks no confrontation, but was forced to beef up its defense and capability because of the tensions in the disputed areas.
“We have to do this because we are under threat. We are forced to do this. We do not want to do this,” Marcos said.
His remarks come amid persistent tensions in the West Philippine Sea, part of the vast South China Sea, which Beijing claims entirely as its own.
However, in 2016, the Philippines won a landmark international arbitration case against China, invalidating its ambitious claim over the South China Sea—a ruling that Beijing vehemently disregarded.
The Philippine government continues its presence and patrols to assert sovereignty and protect the country’s maritime interests, consistent with the policy pursued during the past three years. (PNA)
