Senator calls for review of Philippines’ One China Policy amid SCS tensions

A LAWMAKER on Thursday called for the review of the Philippines’ adherence to the One China Policy, in which Manila denounces the sovereign claims of Taiwan and recognizes Beijing’s sole government, as tensions escalate in the South China Sea (SCS).

- By Chloe Mari A. Hufana

In a senate hearing, Senator Erwin T. Tulfo told Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro that the government should reevaluate its stance on the One China Policy amid Beijing’s threatening presence in Philippine waters.

“While we respect what they want, while we don’t want to interfere in the affairs between China and Taiwan, but what about our position?” Mr. Tulfo said. “They can come in and out and we don’t have a say.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., earlier this month said Manila will have to meddle should a war erupt between Beijing and Taipei, which is home to over 160,000 Filipinos.

Beijing accused Mr. Marcos of playing with fire with this pronouncement, but the Philippine President noted Manila will be dragged kicking and screaming into the possible Taiwan war.

Ms. Lazaro however maintained the Philippines’ stance on the One China Policy and reaffirmed the Department of Foreign Affairs’ (DFA) commitment as its “guardian and steward.”

“We do not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. We leave it to the Chinese people to resolve cross straits matters,” she told the Committee on Foreign Relations.

“Conflict will have an impact on geographically proximate territories. And the President did not deviate from our principle of noninterference, a principle of the joint communique.”

Under the One China Policy, countries acknowledged that Beijing is the sole Chinese government, denouncing Taipei’s claims as a sovereign nation.