The Philippines is not in the business of making wars, says President Marcos By Reuters

MANILA (Reuters) – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Sunday that his country is not in the business of de-escalating wars and will always aim to resolve disputes peacefully, as maritime disputes with China escalate.

“In defense of the nation, we remain true to our Filipino identity that we would like to solve all these problems peacefully,” said Marcos in his speech with the soldiers of the Western Command in charge of overseeing the South China Sea.

Philippine naval personnel and the Chinese coast guard had their latest clash last week in the disputed waterway, in which the Philippine military said a Filipino sailor was seriously injured and its ships were damaged.

“In doing our job, we will not use force or intimidation, or hurt or hurt anyone intentionally,” said Marcos.

He did not mention China in his speech.

Beijing’s actions during the Philippine resupply campaign have been condemned by the United States, Britain and Canada.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs disputed the Philippine account, a spokesman said on Thursday that the necessary measures are legal, effective and beyond reproach.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 billion in annual shipping, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

In 2016, the High Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims had no legal basis, a decision Beijing rejected.