Filipine President Marcos stated that if there is a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the Philippines will not allow the United States to launch attacks from its territory.
According to Bloomberg, Marcos made the aforementioned statement during a press conference with foreign media on August 14 local time.
When asked whether he would allow the U.S. military to launch offensive operations from Philippine bases and territories, he said: “The Philippines has no intention of becoming a belligor in the region. We have no interest in that. All we care about is defending our territories and maintaining peace and stability in the region.”
"Marcos also said: 'Allowing attacks on any person from Philippine territory is inconsistent with this policy.'"
During President Marcos's tenure, the Philippines strengthened its security ties with the United States, expanded the authority for US military forces to use Philippine bases, and conducted large-scale military exercises. Nevertheless, Marcos remained of the view that the Philippines could still develop economic relations with China.
Photos of Marcos on social media
Marcos said that there are many cases of cooperation between China and Philippines. After the Middle East conflict erupted this year, both countries have carried out cooperation in terms of energy supply.
"I do not believe there are any policies or statements by any party that claim we are distancing ourselves from China." Marcos said. "We are still looking for many areas in which we can cooperate with China. China remains one of the Philippines' largest sources of investment."
But at the same time, Marcos still insists on being stubborn about the South China Sea issue.
He stated that the Philippines does not have any “special arrangements” that require prior approval from China regarding matters such as maritime supply operations, and will not give up the so-called “rights” of the Philippines. The negotiations on the boundaries of the waters east of Taiwan between the Philippines and Japan are issues between the two countries, and he expressed hopes for the completion of these negotiations within this year.
Recently, Japan and the Philippines have joined forces, attempting to stir up trouble around China.
Ocean military expert Zhang Junshe, to Observer Network: The military collusion between Japan and the Philippines is actually a composite strategic provocation within the US Indo-Pacific strategy framework. The true intention is to challenge China's core interests and to hinder China's peaceful development.
It is worth mentioning that in late July, when Marcos met with China's Ambassador to the Philippines, Jing Quan, he voluntarily sent a signal of hoping to ‘reset’ the relations between China and the Philippines. However, just a few days later, he spoke harshly in his State Address, claiming that the Philippines would ‘never yield’ on the South China Sea issue.
Zhang Junshi believes that what Marcos said precisely illustrates his indecisiveness.
Chen Xiangsui, director of the South China Sea History and Culture Institute at the China South China Sea Research Institute, emphasized that Marcos's release of the 'reset' signal was not purely a gesture of goodwill. Although it contained some genuine needs, it was more of a diplomatic facade, aimed at responding to ASEAN concerns about the escalating situation, as well as voices within China that hold rational views towards China.
