Marcos says Philippines would be 'dragged kicking and screaming' into war over Taiwan
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. dismissed China's claims that the Philippines must "refrain from playing with fire" after he commented on China's would-be war with Taiwan, pointing out that our country would be "drawn and dragged" into the matter "kicking and screaming."
During his state visit to India last week, Marcos noted that the Philippines's closeness to Taiwan and the large Filipino community there would make involvement necessary in such a conflict.
In response, China's foreign ministry said, "'Geographical proximity' and 'large overseas populations' are not excuses for a country to interfere in the internal affairs of others."
"We urge the Philippines to earnestly adhere to the one-China principle ... and refrain from playing with fire on issues concerning China's core interests," it added.
In a press briefing on Aug. 11, Marcos defended his words.
"I don't know what they're talking about," he said. "Playing with fire? I was stating facts."
Marcos noted that the country doesn't want to go to war, but would be drawn in case there were a war over Taiwan.
The Manila Economic and Cultural Office said in December 2024 that there were 200,000 Filipinos in Taiwan, 170,000 of whom are workers.
"Hihilahin tayo, sa ayaw o sa gusto natin. Kicking and screaming, we will be drawn and dragged into that mess," he said. "Whatever you do, come on. Hope is not a plan. I hope it doesn't happen."
But in the event that such a war happens, Marcos said the Philippines must "plan for it already."
"That's what I was talking about. How do we get our people out? Kung maggiyera na dito, eh malapit na sa atin, anong gagawin natin? Ok lang 'yun, normal lang 'yun, pababayaan na lang natin kung sino ang pasok-labas dito sa atin? Hindi naman puwede 'yun," he said.
"So we'll have to do something, inevitably, despite our fervent wish to avoid any confrontation with anybody anywhere," he added.
Marcos also pointed out that since the "playing with fire" remark, there has been an increase in activity in the West Philippine Sea.
The president's comments come at a time of heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea, a strategic waterway where the two countries have had a series of maritime run-ins over the past years.
Both countries have traded accusations of aggressive maneuvers and sovereignty violations, prompting the United States to reaffirm its commitment to defend the Philippines.
On Monday, a Philippine vessel transporting provisions to Filipino fishermen in the Scarborough Shoal was sprayed at with a water cannon by a Chinese coast guard ship, the Philippine Coast Guard said. The vessel managed to evade being hit.
Responding to the Monday incident, China's coast guard said it had taken necessary measures to expel Philippine vessels from Scarborough Shoal, which China claims as its own territory.
It described the operation as "professional, standardized, legitimate, and legal."
A 2016 ruling of an international arbitral tribunal voided Beijing's sweeping claims in the region, saying they had no basis under international law, a decision China rejects. (with reports from Reuters)
