The Philippines' Delicate Dance with China Over Oil and Gas President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 's recent statement on a possible joint oil and gas exploration deal with China has sparked alarm in Manila.
Tensions over the South China Sea have been simmering for years, and Marcos's optimism about the prospects of such an agreement is understandable given the energy emergency triggered by the Iran war.
The Philippines' long standing dispute with China over territorial claims in the South China Sea has already led to several high profile incidents.