China’s Coast Guard and Maritime Militia Will Respond Reasonably to Aggressive Attacks: Philippines

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said that the Philippines will take appropriate and reasonable countermeasures once morest illegal, aggressive and dangerous attacks by China’s coast guard and maritime militia in the South China Sea.

According to the news agency Reuters, Ferdinand Marcos said in a message on the social networking site Facebook that we do not want any conflict with any nation, there are many nations that claim and pretend to be our friends, but we are afraid. They will not be silent or submissive.

However, the Philippine president did not clarify what his countermeasures would be.

The Philippines has been angered over the past year by repeated aggression by China’s coast guard and allied fishing vessels around the disputed area, which lies within Manila’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

Tensions between the two countries rose last week when China used water cannons to disrupt a supply mission for troops stationed on a reef 25 years ago to protect a warship. what was

China claims almost the entire South China Sea and has accused the Philippines of trespassing on its territory, saying it has taken necessary actions once morest the vessels.

China warned the Philippines on Monday that relations between the two countries are at a crossroads, so it should be cautious and seek dialogue, as clashes between the two coast guards over territorial claims escalated tensions. is given

“I met with our defense and security officials and I am also in touch with my friends in the international community,” President Marcos said.

He said that our friends in the international community have assured the establishment of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and said that they will help the Philippines in protecting its sovereignty, self-determination rights and protection of borders.

The deterioration in the Philippines’ relationship with China comes at a time when Marcos has sought to boost defense ties with the US and increased US access to Philippine military bases, which China has expressed concern regarding. What is it.