Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says his country will inevitably be drawn “kicking and screaming” in any war over Taiwan due to its proximity and the presence of large numbers of Filipino workers on the self-ruled island,

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday that Beijing has "misinterpreted" his comments saying Manila will be inevitably drawn in to a conflict between China and Taiwan should one erupt.

Reacting to China’s remark that he was “playing with fire” for saying earlier the Philippines would “inevitably” get involved should war break out between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan, President Marcos said on Monday that he was “just stating facts.