Philippine president condemns China’s “attack” and vows to take “appropriate” countermeasures

The Philippines said it would retaliate against what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called on Thursday “dangerous attacks” by China on its ships in the South China Sea, the latest example of escalating tensions between the two countries.

While the Philippines views the dispute with China as a violation of its sovereignty, Beijing has accused Philippine ships of intruding into Chinese waters and warned Manila it would defend its sovereignty.

Marcos added in a statement that recent “attacks” in the South China Sea are “illegal, coercive, aggressive and dangerous,” referring to the Chinese Coast Guard’s use of water cannon on Saturday Behavior. The cannon damaged a Philippine supply ship and injured a Navy crew member.

He said the Philippines would not be “frightened into silence” and would implement a “proportionate, thoughtful and reasonable” package of countermeasures in the coming weeks.

He added, “We do not seek conflict with any country.”

The conflict occurred near the Second Thomas Shoal in disputed waters of the South China Sea, much of which China claims sovereignty over.

Marcos said he decided to respond after consulting with senior national security and defense officials. He added that he had been consulting with international allies, saying they had expressed a willingness to help the country protect its sovereignty.

A diplomat at the Chinese Embassy in Manila was summoned to hear the Philippines’ “strongest protest” against Beijing following Saturday’s incident.

The United States condemned the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard and reaffirmed the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which requires American troops to provide assistance to the Philippines if it is attacked by China.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday that the Philippines “should realize that provocations will only do more harm than good, and seeking foreign support will not yield any results.”

Information for this report was obtained in part from The Associated Press and Reuters.