Marcos: Philippines May Act in Taiwan Conflict

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that the Philippines would not be able to remain neutral in a potential China-Taiwan conflict due to its proximity and the presence of over 100,000 Filipino nationals in Taiwan, highlighting both humanitarian and security concerns. Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines' One-China policy but said that defending the nation's territory and citizens would be unavoidable. China condemned Marcos’s remarks, warning the Philippines against interfering in its internal affairs. The comments were made during Marcos’s state visit to India, where the two countries upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership and agreed to deepen defense cooperation, including the procurement of additional BrahMos missiles. These statements and new agreements come amid increasing tensions in the South China Sea and greater security engagement between Manila and regional partners, which China views with suspicion. The developments underscore shifting security alliances in the Indo-Pacific.