The Philippines should do a careful assessment and peaceful action amid the tension between the United States and China over Taiwan, according to Prof. Rommel Banlaoi, Independent peace and security studies advocate.
“Ang Pilipinas kasi nahaharap tayo sa matinding pag-umpugan ng dalawang major powers kaya kailangan talaga dito na maingat na pag a-assess dahil ang realidad, tayo ang security alay ng Estados Unidos,” he said in an interview with Cesar Chavez during DZRH’s Special on Saturday (SOS) on Aug. 6.
Banlaoi said since China is a close neighbor, the country should execute an action that will bring a peaceful solution to the Taiwan strait problem. Otherwise, the Philippines will be affected in case a problem arises, he asserted.
“Ang China ay ating close neighbor at talagang napa-pagitnaan ang Pilipinas dito; at dapat ang Pilipinas ay magsagawa ng aksyon na makakatulong sa peaceful solution of the Taiwan strait problem dahil kung magkaroon ng problem, tayo ay madadamay bilang kaalyado ng Estado Unidos,” he explained.
He claimed that there is a “possibility” that the political tension could escalate into war but the “probability is low”.
Banlaoi said that the United Nations (UN) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are already making a profound effort to "de-escalate the tension" and prevent it from developing into a "military problem".
“Huwag po tayo mangangamba kung magkakaroon po talaga ng giyera diyan dahil matindi ang effort ng buong mundo para huwag humantong sa ganyang kalagayan,” he assured.
About 178 countries, members of the ASEAN, have declared support for China’s “One China policy”.
One-China policy is an international consensus, acknowledging that there is only one Chinese government and Taiwan is a part of its territory.
According to Banlaoi, China told the ASEAN members to respect its commitment to the policy and asked to prohibit any provocative action that will encourage Taiwan to declare full political independence.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday, Aug. 4, released a statement that the Philippines is concerned with the rising tension in the Taiwan Strait and affirmed that it adheres to the One-China policy.
It also said that the country urges restraint by all parties concerned and diplomacy and dialogue must prevail.
