In the Philippines’ latest encounter with China in the West Philippine Sea on Monday, two Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels were water-cannoned by Chinese vessels approximately 10.5 nautical miles east of Panatag Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc).

Following this, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was asked what instructions were given to the Philippine Coast Guard.

“We have never instructed any of our vessels to back out,” he said. “Never, never. But we have to always, we do not back out.”

Marcos stressed that Filipinos are very brave in the face of threats by Chinese vessels.

“You know, I don’t know about other places, but in this government, we do not back down,” he said.

“Which Filipino wants to go to war? Who? Even if you find one for me, even the soldiers, even the Coast Guard, they don’t want trouble,” he said.

Defending country, a duty

Marcos said it is their duty to defend the country against anyone who might pose a challenge to its sovereignty.

“We have a duty to perform. And that is to defend the country. So, no, we never back down,” he said. “Our uniformed personnel, the Navy, the Coast Guard, the Army, the Marines, all of them, the Air Force, all of them, are pledged. They took an oath.”

“And they’re just doing their duty. They’re performing their mission. Defend the Philippines. And we will not stop doing it. We will not stop doing it,” he added.

Marcos said the Philippines will stop preparing to defend its sovereignty if China stops its threats and aggression.

“Stop the threats. We can all sit more safely at home. And we will feel better when the situation is like that,” he said.