Philippines sees risk of conflict over Taiwan as a ‘major concern’

Filipino soldiers stand at attention near a Philippine flag at Thitu island in disputed South China Sea April 21, 2017. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights MANILA, Aug 15 (Reuters) – The Philippines seeks to bolster its ability to address threats while underlining the need to strengthen ties with allies while pursuing an independent foreign policy, under a six-year national security policy published on Tuesday. The 48-page National Security Policy document, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr recently approved, highlighted “sharpening strategic competition between the United States and China” and “heightened rivalries among the major powers” as contributing to a…