President Marcos said the government would continue supporting Filipino fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea amid what he called "worrisome" activities taking place in the disputed waters.

Marcos said this after the Philippine Navy reported that it had monitored an increase in interference on the electronic communication capabilities of its vessels in the WPS. It also monitored 50 Chinese ships in the disputed waters as of Feb. 26.

In an interview on Wednesday morning, Feb. 28, the President told reporters that he found the recent developments in the West Philippine Sea as "worrisome."

"It's worrisome because there are two elements to that. One, dati Coast Guard lang ng China ang gumagalaw doon sa area natin, ngayon may Navy na, sumama pa mga fishing boat (before it's only the Chinese Coast Guard in our area now the Navy is there, too, along with fishing boats)," he said.

"So nagbabago ang sitwasyon (The situation is changing)," he added.

Despite these activities, Marcos assured the public that the government would continue protecting Filipino fishermen in the West Philippine Sea.

"Despite whatever else happens— bina-block tayo, kung ano, may shadow— patuloy pa rin ang ating gawin (we're being blocked or shadowed— we'll carry on with what we're doing)," he said.

"Trabaho natin eh tulungan natin ang mga fishers na matagal na, ilang henerasyon na doon nangingisda (It's our job to help the fishers who have been fishing there for generations)," he added.

The President reiterated that Filipinos must be allowed to fish in the area as it is part of the country's territory.

"The basic principle there is that the fishers must be allowed to fish in their traditional fishing grounds, which belong in the maritime territory of the Philippines," he said.