Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has warned China not to cross a red line in the South China Sea, where a standoff between the countries continues to escalate.
If any Filipino died as a result of China’s wilful actions, he said on Friday, the Philippines would consider it as close to “an act of war” and respond accordingly.
Mr Marcos was speaking at a security forum in Singapore attended by defence chiefs from around the world, including the US's Lloyd Austin.
He stressed the region remained a main focus for Washington, and that the US was only secure if Asia was too.
In recent months the longstanding dispute between China and the Philippines over territory in the South China Sea has sharpened into aggressive clashes.
Manila has complained vociferously about Chinese patrol ships firing water cannon at Philippine boats and supply vessels.
Beijing has said that it is defending its sovereignty. At the summit, a Chinese military spokesman accused the Philippines of making “provocations”.
Read more from source https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7223knz3ezo
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