Former President Benigno Aquino III doubts China will go to war against the Philippines over the maritime dispute involving the South China Sea.
In an interview with Eagle News, Aquino said China doesn’t want to be perceived as a bully by the international community because it will have negative consequences on its economy.
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He said other countries may become wary of dealing with China if it engages in an armed conflict with the Philippines.
“Meron kang super power, papatulan ang isang maliit na bansa tulad ng Pilipinas. Hindi ba kakabahan ang ibang mga bansa? Ganito pala ang ugnayan sa People’s Republic of China. So siguro kung tayo’y namomroblema na makakatapat ang isang dambuhalang bansa tulad nila, sila rin naman eh namomroblema, paano nila tayo papatulan nang hindi lumalabas na bully?” Aquino said.
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The former President, who sued China before an international arbitral tribunal over its sweeping claim over the South China Sea, said Beijing risks losing access to raw materials and markets if it goes to war against the Philippines.
“Pag kinabahan yung mga trading partner, parang mahirap yatang makipag-ugnayan dito, tapos ang access sa market at resources, at mahihirapan yung pagpapatuloy ng pagyabong ng kanilang ekonomiya. Kung ikaw ang Tsina, gusto mong ipakita na responsableng miyembro ka ng mundo,” he said.
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President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly warned that China could wage war against the Philippines if the government presses its claims in the South China Sea.
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This article first appeared on Politiko.
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