The Philippines is monitoring developments with regard to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Asia amid warnings from China that its military will "not sit idly by" if the congresswoman pushes through with its rumored stopover in Taiwan, a self-governing island claimed by China as part of its territory.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said Tuesday it is important for the US and China "to ensure continuing communication to avoid any miscalculation and further escalation of tensions."
"We trust that China and the United States will be responsible actors in the region," Daza added.
In a press briefing on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said Pelosi's visit to Taiwan "would grossly interfere in China's internal affairs" and "seriously undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
It would also "seriously threaten the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and severely damage China-US relations," he added.
Zhao also warned that China is "fully prepared" for any eventuality and the Chinese People's Liberation Army will not sit back.
On Monday, Pelosi reportedly arrived in Singapore to kickoff her Asia visit.
Meanwhile, the DFA spokesperson did not confirm nor deny if Pelosi would land in Clark airport in Pampanga before supposedly going to Taiwan.