Manila, May 6 -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday said the Philippines will not use water cannons to retaliate against China's continued harassment in the disputed areas of the West Philippine Sea.

In a media interview, Marcos stressed that it was not the country's mission to increase tension in the disputed waters.

"What we are doing is defending our sovereign rights and our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea and we have no intention of attacking anyone with water cannons or any other such offensive," Marcos said.

"The last thing we would like is to raise the tensions in the West Philippine Sea. That's the last. And that would certainly do that, so hindi natin gagawin (we will not do that). We will not follow the Chines...