The National Maritime Council (NMC) has strongly supported President Marcos' recent declarations to assert and defend the country's sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, the NMC stressed that the Philippines would "never waver" in protecting its national territory and maritime domain while remaining committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes and proper diplomatic approaches.

"The National Maritime Council reiterates President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s firm declaration to assert and defend our sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea, sovereign rights and jurisdiction," it said late Saturday, Feb. 8.

"We stand resolute against any foreign intrusion into our maritime zones and will never cease upholding our rights and honoring our duties under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award," it added.

Over the last few days, President Marcos has called out China for its continued aggressive actions in the disputed waters. On Jan. 30, he offered China a deal to heed its call to send back the US' Typhon missiles if China stopped harassing Filipinos in the West Philippine Sea.

"You know, let's make a deal with China— stop claiming our territory, stop harassing our fishermen and let them have a living, stop ramming our boats, stop water-cannoning our people, stop firing lasers at us, and stop your aggressive and coercive behavior, and I'll return the Typhon missiles," he said.

"Tigil nila yung ginagawa nila, ibabalik ko lahat 'yan (Stop all their antics and I'll send all the missiles back)," he added.

Marcos wondered why Beijing kept commenting on Manila's missile system when the latter did not make any remark on theirs.

On the other hand, President Marcos said on Feb. 6 that the Philippines will not leave the West Philippine Sea and will continue to defend its territory despite the glaring difference in both countries' military capabilities and China's aggression in the disputed waters.

"No matter what any other foreign power does, that is what we will do. When we detect the presence of a foreign vessel beginning to intrude or coming close already to our coastal waters, papupuntahan natin ng barko (we will send a ship). We will challenge them and we will make sure that they know that what they are doing is illegal," he said.

"We will always be there protecting our territory. We will always be there making sure our fishermen are able to exercise their sovereign rights. Nandiyan lagi (We'll always be there)," he added.

Meanwhile, President Marcos said he believes there were Chinese sleeper cells in the Philippines following the arrest of alleged spies who were caught taking photos and videos of the country's ships.