The Philippines would be a target of China if its tensions with the United States spiral out of control following the expanded American military presence in the country, former President Rodrigo Duterte said in a television interview.
Speaking on SMNI earlier this week, Duterte said he “regularly” meets with Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian to keep an open discussion with the Communist nation and relay that the Philippines “does not have a quarrel with China.”
However, the former President said Huang stressed that if the Marcos administration “provides places where there can be an aggressive action to China, the Philippines would always be a target.”
Duterte then questioned the government’s decision to grant the US government more military bases.
In April, the Palace identified four new sites for its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the US, all located in Luzon region — a move that China denounced.
The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reiterated that the EDCA sites are meant to beef up Filipino military capacity.
“It would not only be destructive,” Duterte said. “I believe that the Philippines would be a graveyard if war comes.”
“These were the things in my mind when I was pondering the entrance of these EDCA into my country,” he added.
“If we are fighting a war and destroying the allies nearby, ang Pilipinas ay tatamaan talaga (the Philippines will surely be hit) because of the presence of military forces of the US,” Duterte said.
“What is really sad is the Philippines granting military bases for the US.”
Thinking that the US would not bring nuclear weapons to the Philippines would be “too pretty naive or stupidity,” the ex-leader added.
“I said by granting America several bases, we can be sure, and I am sure as the sun will rise in the east, that these nuclear bases… will have nuclear warheads,” Duterte said.
Radioactive materials falling on the Philippines would remain in the country for more than 50 years, he warned.
Rody: China would ‘target’ PH if tensions with US lead to war
