Philippine coastguard personnel monitor Chinese vessels at Sabina Shoal, a South China Sea outcrop claimed by Manila, on May 5, 2021. Photo: Philippine Coastguard/AFP
Philippine coastguard personnel monitor Chinese vessels at Sabina Shoal, a South China Sea outcrop claimed by Manila, on May 5, 2021. Photo: Philippine Coastguard/AFP
Mark J. Valencia
Opinion

Opinion

Mark J. Valencia

On the South China Sea, Philippine presidential hopefuls tend to be naively nationalist or neocolonialist

  • A number of candidates in the Philippine’s presidential election are calling for a tougher stance against China over its activity in the South China Sea
  • Front runner Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, however, seems to realise such a stance would increase the country’s dependence on the US and provoke retaliation from China

Philippine coastguard personnel monitor Chinese vessels at Sabina Shoal, a South China Sea outcrop claimed by Manila, on May 5, 2021. Photo: Philippine Coastguard/AFP
Philippine coastguard personnel monitor Chinese vessels at Sabina Shoal, a South China Sea outcrop claimed by Manila, on May 5, 2021. Photo: Philippine Coastguard/AFP
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