President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday vowed to protect Philippine-claimed areas in the South China Sea by engaging China on the dispute. At a briefing with selected media, Mr. Marcos said the Philippines under his term would consistently talk to China “with a firm voice.” “We cannot go to war with them,” he said. “That’s the last thing we need right now so we have to continue to discuss with them the conflicting claims.”

Atienza, K. A. T. (2022, May 27). Country to discuss China sea row with firm voice - Marcos. Business World, p. S1/10.