Philippines to be dragged in China-Taiwan war and what’s Duterte’s connection to potential conflict?

Is the Philippines on the brink of war? The country’s military chief just made a startling revelation—if China invades Taiwan, the Philippines will inevitably be involved. But why? The answer lies in geopolitics, military strategy, and a political power struggle between current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former leader Rodrigo Duterte. Under Duterte, the Philippines embraced China, downplaying territorial disputes and welcoming Chinese investments. But under Marcos Jr., Manila switched sides, reaffirming its U.S. alliance and strengthening military cooperation. Now, China is being accused of infiltrating Philippine institutions, businesses, and even the military itself. Meanwhile, the U.S. is deploying anti-ship missile systems to the Philippines, putting the Taiwan Strait and part of China’s coastline within striking range. Is Manila being forced into a conflict, or did Duterte’s China pivot set the stage for this crisis? Ananya Dutta decodes for you in this episode of Grey Zone.