However, despite being bothered by the current situation in the area, Mqrcos stressed that the Philippines will remain undeterred in its legal claim over the areas contested by China.

Interviewed by the news media before his flight to Canberra, Australia, Marcos said actions by China such as blocking or shadowing Philippine vessels will not affect government’s resolve to allow Filipino fishermen access to their traditional fishing grounds within the country’s maritime territory.

“Its worrisome because there are two elements to that,” Marcos said, referring to the apparent bullying tactics of China such as sending at least three of its warships about 20 miles away from Bajo de Masinloc.

“One is that previously only the Coast Guard of China was operating in our area. Now, there’;s the Navy, and fishing boats have joined. So the situation is changing,” he pointed out.

Marcos said the Philippines will maintain its position of observing :what everybody is doiung.”

“But really for us, we continue to defend our maritime territory. We continue to support all of our fishermen, fisherfolk who make their living form these fishing grounds, and we will continue to help them,” the president stressed.

He added: “Despite whatever else happens, even if we’re being blocked, whatever is being shadowed, we will continue our actions because that’s our job, our job to help fishermen who have been fishing there for a long time, for generations.”

Aside from its warships making an intimidating presence in the contested area, China has reportedly also placed new floating barriers across the entrance of the Scarborough Shoal.

Although till within the Philippines exclusive economic zone, China has claimed Scarborough Shoal as part of its territory based on a map that has been rejected by an arbitral ruling.