He has also told a news conference Monday that the Philippines' coast guard and navy defending its territorial interests in the South China Sea will never back down.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said "we do not want to go to war, but I think if there is a war over Taiwan, we will be drawn, we will be pulled in whether we like it or not, kicking and screaming.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday that Beijing has "misinterpreted" his comments saying Manila will be inevitably drawn in to a conflict between China and Taiwan should one erupt.