During the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issued a stern warning regarding the escalating tensions in the South China Sea. He stated that if a Filipino citizen were to be killed by a willful act, it would be considered very close to an act of war, prompting a strong response from the Philippines.
The Philippines has been facing increasing clashes with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea, particularly involving Chinese Coast Guard ships using water cannons against Philippine vessels. These confrontations have strained the Beijing-Manila relationship, leading Marcos to seek closer ties with the United States, with whom the Philippines maintains a mutual defense treaty.
Under the mutual defense pact with the US, Philippine naval, coast guard, and civilian vessels are covered, potentially drawing Washington into any conflict that escalates in the South China Sea. Marcos emphasized that while there have been injuries and damages in clashes with Chinese ships, no fatalities have occurred yet.
However, Marcos made it clear that if a Filipino citizen were to be killed in such clashes, it would be a significant escalation that could be considered a red line. This could trigger a more forceful response from the Philippines and potentially involve the US military in the conflict.
The situation in the South China Sea remains tense as China continues to assert its territorial claims in the region. The possibility of a deadly incident involving Filipino citizens has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation and the implications it could have on regional security.
