MANILA (Bloomberg): The Philippines won’t allow the US to launch attacks from its soil in case the conflict over Taiwan escalates, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said.
"All we are concerned about is the defense of our territory and the maintenance of peace and stability,” Marcos said at a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines. "To allow an attack on anyone from the Philippines is contrary to that policy.”
The Philippines "has no desire to be a belligerent nation in the region,” he added.
Marcos has bolstered security ties with the US under his presidency, expanding American access to Philippine bases and hosting large-scale military drills. The defense allies have improved relations as the Philippines and China’s bilateral ties have deteriorated because of overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
Marcos has nevertheless taken the stance that his nation can still foster economic ties with China. During Friday’s forum, the president sought to dial back tensions with Beijing and said energy exploration with China in the disputed South China Sea remains possible.
Talks with China on the matter is moving forward, and the two sides are "slowly working through” issues, he said. Asked if a deal is possible within his term until 2028, Marcos said he can’t give a definite timetable.
"I can see a distinct possibility that there will be such joint exploration,” the president said, adding that his administration is looking for ways to shield the country from oil disruptions similar to the one caused by the Iran war.
Marcos also defended a provisional agreement with China on resupplying a Philippine outpost in the South China Sea, saying it helps prevent miscalculations in disputed waters while still upholding Manila’s claims.
"If we are beginning to detect or to feel an increase in tensions, we have to consider going back and talk to our friends in China and say, look, this is not headed in the right direction,” he said.
Still, Marcos said the Philippines will pursue maritime border talks with Japan, a plan that has angered China. He hopes these discussions will be finished this year.
On domestic politics, the president said he plans to endorse a candidate for the 2028 presidential elections, but added that it’s too early to name one at the moment. He added that he isn’t concerned about surveys showing his ally-turned-rival Vice President Sara Duterte as a frontrunner to succeed him.
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