No war prep, but China tensions push Philippines to ready defenses — Marcos
NEW DELHI, India (Updated 10:24 a.m.) — The Philippines does not want war, but it is preparing to defend itself, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.
Speaking to Indian media during his state visit, Marcos said he wanted to avoid a war with China over the West Philippine Sea, but rising tensions are forcing Manila’s hand.
He added that the country is currently in the midst of modernizing its military.
“Let me be clear though: we are not girding up for war. We are simply reacting to the challenges that we are facing, those tensions have increased in the past years and so this is just the reaction to that. We have to do it, this is our duty, to defend the country,” Marcos said in an interview with Firstpost.
The president admitted he was worried about potential escalations, as a single mistake could trigger a heated battle.
"Some guy pushes the wrong button. You know, the navigation goes wrong. It's a mistake, a misunderstanding and a mistake. And that could just blow out of proportion. People start to overreact. And before you know it, it's a shooting war, and that is what we want to avoid," Marcos said.
The president said it was important to maintain open communication lines, but admitted that the territorial row with China won’t go away any time soon.
"I don't know that the problem will go away, but to keep it at a level where somehow it is still manageable. I don't know if we're at that level. I'd like to bring the tension down. I'd love to cool the rhetoric a little bit," Marcos said.
Marcos is in India upon the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The two countries have upgraded their diplomatic relations to a strategic partnership, paving the way for more deals across various sectors.
A total of 13 agreements were signed, four of which focus on cooperation between their respective armies, navies and air forces.
With both countries facing territorial challenges from China, India and the Philippines are ramping up their defense ties.
India is welcome as a partner in maritime patrols, Marcos added.
“India has been a very significant and almost constant presence in the South China Sea. It is actually quite easily discernible, the ramping up of involvement of India in my part of the world,” Marcos said.
Marcos is looking at India as a possible supplier of weapons following the purchase of the country's BrahMos missile system.
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