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Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com
August 7, 2025 | 11:07am
Honor guards raise Taiwan's flag on Democracy Boulevard at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on May 23, 2024.
AFP / Yasuyoshi Chiba
NEW DELHI, India — The Philippines cannot stay out of the way should a war break out between Taiwan and China, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.
Speaking to local media in India, Marcos was asked if he was open to allowing US resources and bases to be used to defend Taiwan should China invade the island.
Marcos sidestepped the question on US intervention, instead explaining the country's precarious position in the event of a war.
“To be very practical about it, if there is a confrontation over Taiwan between China and the United States, there is no way that the Philippines can stay out of it, simply because of our physical geographic location,” Marcos told Firstpost.
Marcos said that Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is a mere 40-minute flight from Laoag, Philippines.
“If you think about it, if there is an all-out war, then we will be joined into it. And I assure you with the greatest hesitation, but again, we will have to defend our territory and our sovereignty,” Marcos said.
The president also cited the large volume of Filipinos working in Taiwan. An invasion from China would also spell a humanitarian crisis for the Philippines.
Around 160,000 Filipinos reside in Taiwan.
Should they find themselves in areas of conflict, Marcos said that he would immediately mobilize everything he could to bring their people out.
China has previously warned the Philippines away from making comments about Taiwan, saying that those who make unfounded comments could be playing with fire. This was after Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. told the military to make preparations should China invade Taiwan.
While the administration has stated that it recognizes the One China policy, certain developments have been perceived by some as acknowledging Taiwan's position.
This includes Marcos’ congratulatory post to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te when he won in the elections.
Marcos also issued an order easing travel restrictions for Taiwanese officials going into the Philippines.
