PH addressing China aggression in WPS: Let’s not overreact

Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in this file photo on September 27, 2023 | PHOTO: PCO

TOKYO, Japan — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday said the Philippines is exerting all efforts to address China aggression in the West Philippine Sea but it is important not to overreact.

Marcos was asked by the media for his reaction to Chinese vessels swarming Ayungin Shoal on the sidelines of the Asean-Japan Summit in Tokyo.

“We are exerting all efforts but this is, we have to be very careful that we do not overreact, that we do not make mistakes that might be misinterpreted by anyone,” said Marcos.

China’s aggression in the West Philippine Sea has become a repeated occurrence over the past few months.

Just in December, a Philippine fishing vessel was rammed by a Chinese cargo vessel. Five Filipino fishermen needed to be rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard.

READ: PH to still uphold peace in West PH Sea despite rising tension – Marcos

“Kailangan talaga maingat tayo dahil pag may nangyari ulit dyan, if we heightened the tensions it won’t lead us to a good result. We are being very circumspect in the actions that we will take,” said Marcos.

(We need to be careful because if something else happened like that, if we heightened the tensions it won’t lead us to a good result. We are being very circumspect in the actions that we will take.)