‘We are going to stand up’: Philippines vows to defend its territory against China

The Philippines is vowing to defend its territory in the South China Sea amid escalating tensions with Beijing.

Philippines President Bongbong Marcos visited an island in the region, saying his country is not looking for trouble but will stand up for the rights of its people.

A Coast Guard officer under orders from President Marcos sliced through a rope laid in the sea by Beijing as part of a barrier from the Chinese Coast Guard.

Philippines Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jr told Sky News, “we don’t want to face off with them; we just want them out of our territory”.

“We are going to stand up more because it’s an insult to our integrity, an insult to our intellect.”