Philippines' Marcos defends eliminating China's barrier in the South China Sea
The Philippines has maintained its decision to take down China's sea wall and has vowed to keep protecting its sovereignty.
The removal of the buoys has sparked protests in Beijing, escalating a protracted dispute over the Scarborough Shoal.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated, "They just can't put barriers in an area which happens clearly inside the Philippines."
The Philippines, according to Mr. Marcos, "are not looking for trouble."
The Philippines and China both assert ownership over a number of reefs and outcrops in the South China Sea, including the Scarborough Shoal.
Since the conclusion of a naval standoff in 2012, China's coast guard has maintained a consistent presence in the region, and its interactions with Filipino fishing boats have been a continual source of tension with the Philippines.
The Philippines opposes Beijing in the South China Sea
China and the United States are engaged in a fierce sea battle.
What is the conflict in the South China Sea?
An official from the Chinese foreign ministry claimed that the country had placed the buoy line after a Philippine ship "illegally" entered the shoal and that the buoy line had been taken up on Saturday.
Manila, however, claimed that its Coast Guard personnel removed it on Wednesday during a "special operation". Members can be seen cutting the buoy line underwater by diving into the water.
The removal of the buoys, according to Mr. Marcos, enabled Filipino fisherman to harvest 164 tonnes of fish in a single day.
At a press briefing on Friday, members of the Philippine Coast Guard displayed the anchor that they claimed Chinese boats had used to maintain the line barrier in place.
Two Chinese ships were still present, according to reconnaissance flights, they claimed.
"We are not seeking conflict. We'll take the required action. The rights of our fishermen in the waters where they have been fishing for generations would continue to be defended by us, Mr. Marcos declared, along with the Philippines, its maritime area.
He declared, "We are avoiding flamboyant language, but our will to preserve Philippine land is strong.
Washington, with whom Manila has improved relations this year, praised the measure on Thursday, calling it a "bold step in defending their own sovereignty."
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Military for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford applauded the Philippines' initiative and reaffirmed Washington's security commitments to its Asian ally during a congressional hearing.
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