Philippines to Embrace War Over Taiwan Despite China’s Protest

• Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. predicts the Philippines will be drawn into any war over Taiwan due to its proximity to the self-ruled island and the presence of Filipino workers there.

• Marcos also stated that the Philippines’ coast guard and Navy will defend its territorial interests in the South China Sea.

• Chinese coast guard ships staged dangerous blocking maneuvers against Philippine coast guard and fishing vessels in the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area off the northwestern Philippines.

• A Philippine coast guard ship managed to evade being hit by a Chinese coast guard water cannon during the melee.

• A Chinese coast guard ship sustained “substantial damage” during the melee, and the Philippine coast guard offered to provide help.