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Philippines faces ‘worrisome’ threat amid Taiwan tensions, Marcos tells troops
- ‘The external threat now has become more pronounced … that is why we have to prepare’, the Philippine president told troops near Taiwan
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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr told his nation’s northern army unit to be ready for any eventuality amid tensions over Taiwan, while also warning of a “more worrisome” threat to his country.
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The Philippines’ proximity to Taiwan puts it in Beijing’s area of interest, Marcos said in a speech to troops at a military camp in Isabela province, in a northern region near the democratically governed island.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of its own territory to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington and its allies are opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force.
Marcos spoke to soldiers on Monday at Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in the province of Isabela, one of four new sites that the US military can access under a defence deal that was expanded last year.
The Southeast Asian nation should prepare for a “more pronounced” external threat, the president was also quoted as saying in a statement released by his communications office on Tuesday.
The external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome, and that is why we have to prepare
“The external threat now has become more pronounced, has become more worrisome, and that is why we have to prepare,” Marcos said, without specifying.
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