South China Sea: Philippines taking ‘dangerous path’ with President Marcos Jnr’s anti-China moves, sister Imee says

Under the directive, the Philippine president authorised the council to accept “donations, contributions, grants, bequests or gifts” from allies to improve maritime security.

The lawmaker, who chairs the Philippine Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, went on to warn that every action that may put Filipinos in danger is a “gross irresponsibility [that] must be avoided at all costs.”

“Let’s not be hasty, let’s not be hot-headed so that we can take care of the welfare of our people,” she said.

“Emotion rather than reason has prevailed in our maritime conflict with China and is leading us down a dangerous path that will cost us more than just Filipino pride.”

General Andres Centino, whom Marcos Jnr appointed as chief of the NMC, rebuked the president’s sister, saying that allowing foreign aid to strengthen the country’s maritime defence would not equate to foreign intervention.

“I don’t think it is foreign intervention. It would be more of acknowledging that we need the help of our partners and allies.”

“We now see the execution of more dangerous manoeuvres and even the ramming of their boats against ours and more recently, the excessive use of water cannons at full force,” Centino said, noting that despite China’s actions, Manila would not use similar tactics.

“We don’t want to follow their ways. The other countries have actually criticised what they’re doing. We will not follow their lead of using illegal actions.”

Senator Marcos, however, reasoned that emotion rather than reason has prevailed in the country’s maritime conflict with China.

“To prevent yet another regional conflict, what we need instead are solutions for peace from those who claim to be our genuine allies,” she said.

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