President Duterte has warned against a possible attack on the country if the Russia-Ukraine conflict persists and leads to a world war.
Considering the American military presence in the country, Duterte said the Philippines might be attacked, starting from the American bases in Clark and Subic if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to accept possible defeat in its war with Ukraine.
Ukraine has a pending membership application to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO's members include 28 European states, the United States, and Canada.
"Now, I just predict that Taiwan would be the first target, but hindi nila masyado, parang i-surround lang nila, ise-sequester lang nila yung Taiwan (But they won't attack it completely. They'll just surround or sequester it). Ang problema ang Pilipinas, titirahin talaga tayo (The problem is the Philippines. We will be attacked) whether we like it or not because of the American presence here," the President said in an interview with SMNI aired Friday.
Duterte said he does not want to sound like "an alarmist," but he "dwell on reality always." He added that he knows Putin to be "suicidal."
The President also believed that once Russia launched its nuclear weapon toward the U.S., the latter would defend itself.
"'Pag nasali ang China, magkagulo talaga (If China joins, there will be chaos). It's a world war," he said, as China currently has semi-military alliance with Russia.