Robredo: Philippines won’t join war vs. Russia if it invades Ukraine, but must secure Pinoys there

Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo said Wednesday that the Philippines would not go to war against Russia if Moscow's troop build-up on its border with Ukraine escalates into an invasion of the latter, as Western nations believe.

Robredo was asked by academician and columnist Antonio Contreras if the Philippines would side with Ukraine in the event that the tensions between the two countries intensify into a war, during the DZRH-The Manila Times interview.

"First and foremost, kailangan mai-secure mo muna iyong 342 na Pinoy na naroon [sa Ukraine]. We will activate our embassy response and other alliances [to provide assistance to them]," Robredo said.

Robredo then said that the Ukraine-Russia conflict could be compared to the tension between the Philippines and China concerning China's repeated aggression against Filipino fisherfolk and its incursions into the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea, given that the Philippines is also stacked against China's superior military might.

In July 2016, an international tribunal junked China's claim over nearly the whole of the South China Sea. China, however, did not participate in this process and has since refused to recognize the court ruling.

"We can compare it with the West Philippine Sea situation na iyong maliit na bansa gaya ng Ukraine, kaya niyang ipaglaban ang kanyang karapatan using rules-based approach, dahil sa kanyang relationship with its allies like the United States, European Union and other allies. Iyon ang nagpapalakas ng loob niya, at dahil nasa tama rin siya kaya di siya magpapaptinag," Robredo said during the DZRH-The Manila Times interview. 

(We can compare this with the West Philippine Sea situation, in which a small country can stand up for its rights using a rules-based approach, if the country has strong relationships with other allied countries. You are emboldened by the support of allies and because you are on the side of what is right. You won't blink.)

Contreras then pressed Robredo if this means the Philippines will side with Ukraine if the tensions spark war. Robredo said she is not going to war with anybody.

"Hindi tayo makikisali [sa giyera]. Ang sinasabi ko ay kayang gawin ng maliit na bansa, na hindi tayo matatakot to stand our ground kung we have strong alliances with other countries and organizations na puedeng tumulong sa atin," Robredo added.

(We are not joining any war. What I was saying is that a small country can be fearless in standing its ground as long as it has strong alliances with countries and other organizations that could be of help.)

The US and the UK have threatened sanctions against Russian firms owned by those close to Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the build-up of Russian troops on its shared border with Ukraine. — BM, GMA News