'PH faces risks from nuclear conflict'

THE Philippines could find itself in the middle of a nuclear conflict because of its strategic geographical location and longstanding military alliances, a political analyst has warned. Joie Cruz of the Arellano University School of Law noted during a forum in Pasig City that the Philippines' military alliance with the United States, combined with its proximity to potential flashpoints such as the South China Sea, make it a potential target or battleground in the event of a nuclear conflict. The forum, organized by the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ACPSSI), revolved around the launch of Anne Jacobsen's latest book, "Nuclear War: A Scenario," and highlighted growing regional tensions and the possibility of the country being drawn into global power struggles. "Geographically, the Philippines is a crucial piece in the Indo-Pacific puzzle. Its location makes it an ideal launching point for military operations, but it also makes it a vulnerable target," said Cruz, who completed double majors at the University of Baguio (Political Science and Philosophy). "If a nuclear conflict were to break out, especially with rising tensions in the South China Sea, the Philippines could be caught in the crosshairs." During the forum held over the weekend, experts discussed the implications of nuclear escalation in Southeast Asia. The US has reportedly said it has no immediate plans to withdraw a mid-range missile system deployed in the Philippines, despite Chinese demands, and is assessing the feasibility of its use in a regional conflict. The reports said Philippine and US security officials agreed to keep the US mid-range missile system in the country as part of its deterrence shield. The US Army transported the Typhon missile system, a land-based weapon that can fire the Standard Missile-6 and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, to the Philippines as part of combat exercises in April with Philippine troops and to test if it could be deployed on an aircraft. Tomahawk missiles have a range of over 1,600 kilometers, which places China within their coverage. It was reported that government officials are considering keeping the missile system until April 2025, when US and Philippine forces are scheduled to hold their annual Balikatan exercises. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. also rejected China's demands to have the Typhon missile system removed. Cruz said the report comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the South China Sea, a region where competing claims by China, the Philippines, and other Southeast Asian nations have sparked growing fears of military confrontation. She said the Philippines could be inadvertently drawn into a nuclear standoff since both China and the US have significant nuclear arsenals. She said Jacobsen's new book explored the possibilities and consequences of nuclear war delves into the devastating impacts of nuclear weapons, including the immediate human toll, long-term environmental destruction, and the geopolitical fallout that could follow such a catastrophe. Cruz said the radioactive fallout from a nuclear strike could affect the country's agriculture, water supply and overall public health. "Nuclear war has no winners," she stressed. "Even countries that are not direct participants could suffer severe consequences due to the spread of radioactive material, economic collapse, and environmental degradation." Cruz joined the other participants in calling for diplomacy to prevent nuclear escalation in the region. "By focusing on diplomacy and regional security initiatives, the Philippines may be able to navigate its precarious position and avoid being drawn into a catastrophic nuclear conflict," said Cruz.