Marcos Jr. says will not ask US for help in PH’s territorial dispute with China

A screenshot taken from the US Department of State’s website shows a map of the South China Sea that was among the materials used to analyze China’s claim over an area encompassed by the so-called nine-dash line. In a 47-page study, the department said Beijing’s maritime claims in the South China Sea are “inconsistent with international law as reflected in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

MANILA, Philippines — Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is running for president in the elections this May, rejected the idea of tapping the United States (US) to help the Philippines resolve its territorial dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea.

According to him, “The problem is between China and us. If Americans come in, it’s bound to fail.”

“You’re putting the two protagonists together. We must understand na dalawang superpower ‘yan at nasa gitna tayo, ang liit-liit natin,” he also said during an interview with Boy Abunda.

In a separate interview over DZRH, Marcos Jr. has described the idea as a “recipe for disaster” which would result in China ceasing talks with the Philippines.

“Hindi na tayo pakikinggan ng China (China will not listen to use anymore),” he said.

The best way to resolve the dispute, he said, is for Manila to continue diplomatic talks and come up with bilateral agreements with Beijing

He also rejected war as an option to address the matter since the Philippines is not capable of fighting against China.

“‘Wag na natin pag-usapan ‘yun [war] dahil hindi talaga option ‘yun. We must continue to engage the Chinese,” he said.

KGA