MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to the One China Policy, stressing that the country will not interfere in matters concerning Taiwan while urging the peaceful resolution of regional tensions.

In an interview with Japanese media on Monday, Marcos said the Philippines has consistently recognized the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China under the One China Policy.

“I have to make it very clear. The Philippines has, from the very start, always held a one-China policy. We have always held a one-China policy, and we will continue to do that,” Marcos said.

He said Manila does not intervene in what it considers an internal issue, but continues to encourage all parties to resolve tensions peacefully.

“What we counsel everyone in Taiwan is that any conflicts be resolved peacefully. And again, it all revolves in peace. And that is, I think, what everyone’s ultimate goal is in Japan, the Philippines, and all the countries around the region,” he said.

Marcos noted that any escalation in Taiwan would have direct implications for the Philippines due to its proximity and the presence of about 200,000 Filipinos living and working there.

He said the country seeks to avoid being drawn into any confrontation, warning that hostilities could affect northern Luzon and other parts of the country.

“We do not want to be involved in any conflict,” Marcos said.

“If there is actual confrontation, if there is conflict, just looking at the map, you can tell that the northern Philippines at the very least is going to be part of that or will feel the effects. I can just put it that way,” he added.

The President also emphasized the importance of regional cooperation among Indo-Pacific countries to maintain peace and stability, noting that no single nation can resolve such issues alone.

“We continue to engage all stakeholders in this, and that is important. Because no country can fix this problem or put this problem to rest by itself. It really has to be the cooperation of all the stakeholders of all the countries that are in the region,” Marcos said.

He added that the Philippines continues diplomatic engagement with China through regular dialogue mechanisms between foreign ministers.

“We have raised now the level of engagement with China, where we now have our foreign ministers have agreed to regularly meet. And I think, the first meeting between our foreign Secretary and the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic are scheduled to meet, I think in about less than a month’s time,” he said.