Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 22) — President Rodrigo Duterte said a Chinese invasion could happen should Russia use nuclear weapons in its conflict with Ukraine.
“If by unfortunate chance, per chance, talagang maipit si (Russian President Vladimir) Putin at tusukin niya ‘yung pula na butones, ah wala na. Then my thinking is kapag mag-ganoon ‘yan, ang China will invade. Pero sa intelligence briefing, tatamaan talaga tayo. Tatamaan talaga,” said the President at an event in Malacañang on Monday.
[Translation: If by unfortunate chance, per chance, if Putin gets caught in a bind and he pushes that red button, that’s it. Then my thinking is if that happens, China will invade. In the intelligence briefing, we will get hit.]
It was not clear, however, which countries Duterte was referring to — only that the Philippines could get caught in the crossfire.
“Kasali tayo diyan kasi ano. Let us not kid each other. Nandito yung America. The reason I said why I gave the orders to our military is to allow them unrestricted (movement) para matapos na. Huwag lang sana ‘yung China,” he added.
[Translation: We will be involved. Let us not kid each other. America is here. The reason I said why I gave the orders to our military is to allow them unrestricted movement so it’ll be over with. I just hope it’s not China.]
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in the rise of fuel prices worldwide and caused a massive refugee problem in Eastern Europe.
Amid the crisis, the government began mandatory evacuation efforts in Ukraine starting this month after it raised Crisis Alert Level 4 for all areas in the war-torn country.
In its latest update, the Department of Foreign Affairs said a total of 382 Filipinos in Ukraine have been given assistance.
Of this number, 330 have returned to the Philippines, while 52 are in safe havens in other Eastern European countries.
