Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks during a news conference at the Malacanang Palace in Manila
STAFF WRITER
May 19, 2026
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will discuss Japan’s evolving defense and security posture at a meeting next week with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in talks that are also likely to involve another subject that has garnered headlines in recent days: Taiwan.
Marcos, who is due to travel to Japan for a four-day state visit from May 26, said during an interview with Japanese media on Monday that while the Philippines doesn’t want to be involved in any war over Taiwan, his country would likely be forced to join given its proximity to the democratic island.
“I think in Japan’s case, it is more a matter of choice to be involved (in any potential conflict over Taiwan). In the Philippines, we do not have a choice because Taiwan is so close to the Philippines, and we have almost 200,000 Filipino nationals living and working in Taiwan,” Marcos said.
“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,” he added.
The island of Itbayat, the northernmost point in the Philippines, sits about 160 kilometers from Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as a renegade province and has vowed to bring it under the mainland’s control, by force if necessary. The Philippine leader’s remarks echoed concerns in Japan that any invasion of Taiwan would represent a dire security threat.