MANILA — The Philippine government is open to holding discussions with China to ensure the safety of Filipinos in Taiwan should tensions in the Taiwan Strait escalate, Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa P. Lazaro told lawmakers this week.
Lazaro made the statement during a Senate hearing on Wednesday when asked if Manila could seek Beijing’s assistance in evacuating more than 200,000 Filipinos working and living in Taiwan.
“We can do that,” Lazaro said, adding that contingency plans have been in place since early 2025 to address possible conflict scenarios.
The development comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned that the Philippines could be affected if tensions between Beijing and Taipei worsen due to the country’s geographic proximity.
Despite the diplomatic opening, Lazaro stressed that the Philippines continues to adhere to its “One China” policy, under which it does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. She added that any cross-strait dispute remains an internal matter for China.
Taiwanese officials, through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office, have also assured support for Filipino workers in case of emergencies. At the same time, Manila has taken steps to expand economic engagement with Taiwan, including easing restrictions on official travel and welcoming a Taiwanese business delegation earlier this year.
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