He has also told a news conference Monday that the Philippines' coast guard and navy defending its territorial interests in the South China Sea will never back down.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said "we do not want to go to war, but I think if there is a war over Taiwan, we will be drawn, we will be pulled in whether we like it or not, kicking and screaming.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos warned Monday that his country would be dragged "kicking and screaming" into any war over Taiwan, but must prepare for it."So inevitably, despite our fervent wish to avoid any confrontation with anybody,