'We Don't Have A Choice': Marcos Says Philippines Could Be Drawn Into Taiwan Conflict Due To Proximity

Last Updated:May 19, 2026, 11:25 IST

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said the Philippines could be drawn into any Taiwan conflict because of its proximity to the island.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has said the Philippines would likely be involved in any potential conflict over Taiwan because of its geographic proximity and the large number of Filipinos living and working on the island, according to a Bloomberg report.

“In the Philippines, we do not have a choice because Taiwan is so close to the Philippines and we have almost 200,000 Filipino nationals living and working in Taiwan," Marcos said in an interview with Japanese media in Manila on Monday ahead of his state visit to Japan next week.

Marcos added that Manila did not want to be involved in any war over Taiwan, but said the country could not avoid the consequences of a confrontation because of geography.

“Except that if there is actual confrontation, if there is conflict, just looking at the map, you can tell that the northern Philippines, at the very least, is going to be part of that or will feel the effects," he said.

The report noted that Marcos had made similar remarks previously, including last year when he said that a war over Taiwan “will drag the Philippines kicking and screaming into the conflict," comments that reportedly angered Beijing.

TAIWAN ISSUE DISCUSSED DURING TRUMP-XI MEETING

The remarks come amid heightened tensions surrounding Taiwan and increasing military activity in the region.

The report mentioned that Taiwan was discussed during the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last week.

Xi reportedly warned that mishandling the Taiwan issue could lead to clashes.

Trump later said that Xi “does not want to see a fight for independence, because that would be a very strong confrontation."

According to an AFP report dated May 16, Trump also warned Taiwan against declaring formal independence while reiterating that the United States was not seeking conflict.

“I’m not looking to have somebody go independent. And, you know, we’re supposed to travel 9,500 miles to fight a war. I’m not looking for that," Trump told Fox News’ “Special Report with Bret Baier."

“I want them to cool down. I want China to cool down," Trump added, while also saying that “nothing’s changed" regarding US policy toward Taiwan.

AFP reported that Taiwan responded by reiterating that it was “a sovereign and independent democratic nation, and is not subordinate to the People’s Republic of China."

CHINA’S MILITARY ACTIVITY “GREATEST SOURCE OF REGIONAL UNEASE"

Separately, Reuters reported on Tuesday that Taiwan Premier Cho Jung-tai described China as the “greatest source of regional unease and instability" because of its continued military activities across the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

“The People’s Republic of China continues to conduct military exercises of various scales and types in the Taiwan Strait region, the Indo-Pacific region, the South China Sea, and even around Japan, affecting navigational safety," Cho told reporters in Taipei ahead of the second anniversary of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te taking office.

Reuters also reported that China’s navy announced that a carrier task force led by the Liaoning had been sent into the Western Pacific for training exercises, including live firing drills intended to “test and enhance the realistic combat training capabilities of the forces."

China said the drills were “a routine training organised in accordance with the annual plan" and were “fully in compliance with international law and practice."

Cho, meanwhile, reiterated Taiwan’s position on sovereignty and again called for dialogue with Beijing.

“We still hope for healthy and orderly exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, and for dialogue based on equality and dignity. This has been our consistent principle," he said.

MARCOS TO SEEK SECURITY CLARITY FROM JAPAN

Bloomberg further reported that Marcos would seek greater clarity from Japan regarding Tokyo’s evolving security posture during his upcoming meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The Philippine President said Japan and the Philippines had experienced “the same difficulties in terms of coercive acts" in contested waters amid ongoing maritime disputes with Beijing.

“We would like to hear more about how, what exactly Japan intends to do and what they are willing to do," Marcos said.

He also said Manila was increasing engagement with China to maintain peace and stability in the region.

“We have raised now the level of engagement with China," Marcos said, adding that senior diplomats and officials from both countries were expected to meet “in less than a month’s time."

News world 'We Don't Have A Choice': Marcos Says Philippines Could Be Drawn Into Taiwan Conflict Due To Proximity

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