At Asia’s largest defense summit, the president of the Philippines discussed maritime tensions with Beijing over the South China Sea. Meanwhile, top US and Chinese defense officials held a rare meeting on the sidelines.
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned against tensions with China in the South China Sea turning violent amid increased confrontations with Chinese boats around contested shoals.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, Marcos said the Philippines would respond if a soldier was killed by China’s use of water canons against Filipino vessels.
“If a Filipino citizen was killed by a willful act, that is very close to what we define as an act of war,” Marcos said in response to a journalist’s question.
Rest of ASEAN quiet as usual.
Because they all know the Americans are writing his script
Really? I’m south east Asian, am moderate when it comes to the Americans, think the Chinese should stop the incursion and fuck the hell out of SCS international waters and am ashamed of my governments deafening silence. If anything, they are cowed/ bought by china.
I’m no fan of Marcos jr, but at least he has the spine to speak out for his people and country.