Marcos amid Chinese aggression in WPS: Filipinos do not yield

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Thursday strongly stated that Filipinos will not yield to China's "open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks."

"Over the succeeding weeks there shall be, implemented by the relevant national government agencies and instrumentalities, a response and countermeasure package that is proportionate, deliberate, and reasonable in the face of the open, unabating, and illegal, coercive, aggressive, and dangerous attacks by agents of the China Coast Guard and the Chinese Maritime Militia," Marcos said in a statement.

"We seek no conflict with any nation, more so nations that purport and claim to be our friends but we will not be cowed into silence, submission, or subservience. Filipinos do not yield," he added.

This developed as the President disclosed that he has been in "constant communication" with representatives of allies, partners, and friends in the international community.

"They have offered to help us on what the Philippines requires to protect and secure our sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction while ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. I have given them our requirements and we have been assured that they will be addressed," Marcos said.

After exhaustive consultations, the President also said that he has given directives to the leaders of the Philippine national security and defense agencies who "made their considered recommendations."

Marcos's statement came in light of the March 23 attack by China Coast Guard against a Philippine vessel which is enroute to Ayungin Shoal for a resupply mission.

Three Navy personnel were injured due to the incident.—AOL, GMA Integrated News