The National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) on Monday, April 1 clarified that the Philippines planned countermeasures over China's repeated aggressions against the country's vessels in the South China Sea are not "purely military."
In an interview, NTF-WPS spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said the measures will, instead, cover multi dimensions.
"Marami sa ating mga kababayan akala nila yung counter response natin or measures natin ay purely military, hindi po. The measures cover multi dimensions," he said.
He made the clarification after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will execute a “proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable” response to China.
"The proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable response that the President was talking about covered not only the aspect of strengthening our military or our defense capabilities together with other allies, partners and friends but it also talks about exhausting diplomatic efforts to resolve the issue," he continued.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier expressed its “strongest protest” against the water cannon attack by the China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia during the Philippines' rotation and resupply mission in Ayungin Shoal last March 23.
DFA has summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy to "convey the Philippines’ strong protest against the aggressive actions."
