President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy and said the country will not be dragged into any conflict involving Taiwan — even as he warned that hostilities in the strait would directly affect northern Luzon, according to state-run Philippine News Agency.
The state-run news agency reported that President Marcos said the Philippines has consistently held the One China Policy and would continue to do so.
“I have to make it very clear. The Philippines has, from the very start, always held a one-China policy. We have always held a one-China policy, and we will continue to do that,” Marcos reportedly told Japanese press on Monday, May 18.
While the Philippines treats Taiwan as an internal Chinese matter, Marcos said Manila continues to call for a peaceful resolution of tensions.
“What we counsel everyone in Taiwan is that any conflicts be resolved peacefully. And again, it all revolves in peace,” he said.
Marcos warned that a Taiwan confrontation would not spare the Philippines given its geographic proximity and the presence of nearly 200,000 Filipinos there.
“If there is actual confrontation, if there is conflict, just looking at the map, you can tell that the northern Philippines at the very least is going to be part of that or will feel the effects,” he said.
On diplomatic engagement with Beijing, Marcos said both foreign ministers have agreed to meet regularly, with the first session scheduled in less than a month.
“We continue to engage all stakeholders in this, and that is important. Because no country can fix this problem or put this problem to rest by itself,” he added.
